Dr. Robert Grenda

Dr. Robert Tadeusz Grenda, 88 of Philo passed away at 10:52 AM, Sunday, February 21, 2021 at home.

Memorial mass will be 11:00 AM, Friday, February 26, 2021 at St. Thomas Catholic Church, Philo with Rev. Keith Walder officiating.  Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery, Philo.  Military rites will be accorded.  Freese Funeral Home, Sidney is assisting with arrangements.

Dr. Grenda was born February 18, 1933 in Chicago, a son to Stanley and Helen (Kwiatkowski) Grenda.  He married Beverly Long on June 28, 1958 in Terre Haute, IN, she survives.  Also surviving are four children; Diana (Joseph) Roth of Jacksonville, Deborah (William) Handel of Urbana, Robert M (Ilana) Grenda of Springfield, IL, and Patrick (Julie) Grenda of St. Joseph, 12 grandchildren; Brittany (Nick) Echave, Alec (Natalie) DiBenedetti, Jason Roth, Randy (Tiffany) Roth, Arwen Handel, Carolyn Grenda, Tyler Grenda, Bailey Grenda, Lainey Grenda, Thomas Irvin, Owen Irvin, and Mackenna Irvin, six great-grandchildren; Elio Echave, Allena Brooks, Anna Brooks, Cole DiBenedetti, Abigail Roth and Austin Roth. 

He was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings; Walter Grenda, Casey Grenda, Stanley Grenda, Thomas Grenda, Daniel Grenda and Dorothy Rucinski.

He graduated from Bradley University in 1955.  He then joined the United States Navy serving from 1957-1963 reaching rank of Lieutenant.  He received his Doctorate of Dental Surgery from Loyola University in 1961.  He opened his first dental practice in Danville in 1963.  Dr. Grenda moved his family to Jacksonville, IL in 1980.  He served as Dental Director for JAARC/Pathway Foundation and opened a private practice.  He then retired in 2006.  Dr. Grenda then moved to Philo, IL and serve as Dental Director at Champaign-Urbana Public Health from 2008-2014.

Memorials may be made to American Cancer Society.  Condolences may also be made at Freesefh.com

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