Albert Weber Fehrenbacher (94) of Robinson

Albert Weber Fehrenbacher, age 94, of Robinson, Illinois, a devoted and beloved husband, father, brother, uncle, grandfather, and great-grandfather passed away peacefully at the Arbor Rose Senior Care Center in Robinson, Illinois, surrounded by family on Sunday October 20, 2024.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 AM - Saturday, October 26, 2024, at Saint Elizabeth Catholic Church, 207 East Walnut Street, Robinson, Illinois, with Father David Beagles, celebrating mass. Visitation will be from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM, before the mass at the church. Burial will be in the Mount Calvary Cemetery in Newton, Illinois, with military rites by the Jasper Post #20 American Legion. In loving memory of Albert, memorials may be made to Saint Elizabeth Catholic Church (Arts and Environment Fund). Arrangements are under the care of the Meyer Funeral Home in Newton, Illinois. The obituary can be viewed, and condolences left by clicking here.

Albert was born on September 23, 1930, in Olney, Illinois, the son of the late Albert Henry and Jessie Marie (Weber) Fehrenbacher.

Albert is survived by, son Craig of Robinson, daughter Julia (Gerard) Andert of Bridgeton, Missouri, son David (Jenny) Fehrenbacher of Collierville, Tennessee, and daughter Valerie (Scott) Chapman of Robinson, Illinois; daughter-in-law Patti Fehrenbacher of Lake Saint Louis, Missouri; and 12 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Albert was preceded in death by his father Albert in 1955, mother Jessie in 2000, son, Dr. Kim Fehrenbacher, M.D. in 2012, and high school sweetheart and beloved wife of 65 years, Mary Lou in 2018, sister Yvonne Thormahlen in 2003, and brother-in-law James Thormahlen in 2017.

Albert graduated from Newton Community High School with the Class of 1948, and Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, Illinois, in 1952, where he attended Officer Training School and obtained a degree in education. He met Mary Lou Ulmer, when she was playing the piano and Albert was playing the cornet in the Newton High School dance band. They were married August 30, 1952, at the Methodist Church in Olney, Illinois. They lived briefly in Bayonne, New Jersey, where Albert was stationed as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy. They were soon re-assigned to the island of Guam where they lived for 18 months, and their son Kim was born. They later moved to Newton and then to Robinson in 1956. Albert retired in 1988, after 35 years as a teacher of various subjects at Newton Community High School. He also purchased and with Mary Lou operated the Robinson Dog ‘n Suds drive-in restaurant from 1955 to 1993. Albert was way ahead of his time in the 60’s and 70’s by offering more than the traditional burgers, fries, onion rings, hotdogs, pronto pups, coney dogs, and root beer. He was always testing new menu items such as pizza burgers, pizza, hard and soft tacos, taco burgers, deep fried chicken and shrimp, and breaded mushrooms, cauliflower, and broccoli. His attempt to save money by making his own French fries by pouring batter in a machine didn’t last long though! The family and employees were always excited to see (and the first to sample) what he was going to try next. Albert was a member and supporter of Saint Elizabeth Catholic Church for nearly 70 years. He also was a member of the Knights of Columbus, American Legion Post #69, Elks, and Sigma Pi fraternity. Albert served in the United States Navy for 2 years and the Naval reserves for 18 years. As a teenager, Albert developed what would be a life-long love and keen technical knowledge of cars because his dad owned Fehrenbacher Oldsmobile car dealership in Newton. He always had his pick of cars to drive and said he was sure to drive the nicest one on the lot when he picked up Mary Lou for their first date! His love of U.S. cars later expanded in the 60’s and 70’s to foreign cars due to their gas mileage and his German heritage. Audis and Volkswagens including a turquoise Volkswagen bus, Beetles, and Rabbits were his favorites. A stray Fiat also showed up one day. Albert also loved hunting and fishing and the great outdoors. He and Mary Lou cris-crossed the country camping with their seven-member family starting with tents and later moving up to “first class” accommodations with a pop-up tent camper. The luxury of a hotel or motel was few and far between. Albert also loved to play bridge and square dance with Mary Lou and their friends and loved to listen to German polka music, which the kids woke up to (or were awaken by!) on Sunday mornings before church. He and Mary Lou also visited several countries in their later years.