Robert Harold Davilla
Born: February 25th, 1920
Died: January 3rd, 2006
Obituary
Robert Harold Davilla, 85, of Carman, Illinois, died at 10:12 a.m. Tuesday, January 3, 2006, at Great River Medical Center in West Burlington. Born February 25, 1920 in San Francisco, California, he was the son of Harold Milton and Hazel Story Davilla. On March 24, 1945 he married Melba A. Richmond in Athens, Georgia. He attended Mission High School in San Francisco and received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois where he was a member of the Phi Sigma Kappa Fraternity. He was a World War II Navy veteran serving from March of 1942 until his discharge in November of 1945 at the rank of Aviation Radioman 1st Class. He served on the USS Yorktown in the Bombing Squadron VB5 in the South Pacific for 2 ½ years and received the Distinguished Flying Cross, three Air Medals, and a Presidential Citation. His Naval officer training was received at Monmouth College. Mr. Davilla was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Burlington and was a farmer in rural Carman since 1954. He was president of the Bank of Oquawka for 32 years and president of the Henderson County Unit 115 School Board for 12 years. He was a member of the Burlington Golf Club, Farm Bureau, and Palmbrook Country Club in Sun City, Arizona. He was a ham radio operator, pilot and avid golfer. He loved to boat, water ski, travel, and participated in photography. He was a champion swimmer in San Francisco and played baseball. Survivors include his wife, Melba A. Davilla of Carman; two daughters, Dr. Roberta Davilla of Waverly and Donna Davilla of Des Moines; three grandchildren, Peter Adams and Edward Adams both of Carman, and Kaitlin Burhaus of Cedar Falls; one great granddaughter, Stephanie Adams of Carman; and three nephews, Dr. Mark Carmody and Dr. Tim Carmody both of California, and Eugene Carmody, Jr. of Washington. His parents and one sister, Lois Carmody, preceded him in death. Visitation will be from noon until 6:00 p.m. today in Lunning Chapel where the family will receive friends from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. The funeral for Mr. Davilla will be Friday at 11:00 a.m. in First United Methodist Church, Burlington, with the Rev. Dr. Dennis Tevis officiating. The Veterans Honor Guard of VFW Posts 10102 and 9162, American Legion Post 52, Hamilton-Walters Marine Corps League, and AMVETS Post 29 will conduct military rites. Burial will be in Aspen Grove Cemetery. Memorials have been established for First United Methodist Church and Great River Hospice.