Robert Arlie Chronister Sr., 82, of Cape Girardeau passed away Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021, at Ratliff Care Center in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Nov. 7, 1939, in Dyersburg, Tennessee, to the late Rueben Jefferson Chronister and Sadie Woodard Briton. He married Anna Marie Marmon on July 1, 1963, and she passed away in February 2005.

Arlie grew up in St. Louis, graduating from Mehlville High School in 1956, before enlisting in the Marine Corps. He honorably served from November 1956 to March 1958. Upon leaving the Marines, he began a 25-year stint with Ingram Barge Line, where he served as a towboat engineer before going to work for Gilster Mary-Lee in Perryville, Missouri, where he worked as a machine mechanic until retirement.

Robert was a proud member of the Cpl. Mason O. Yarbrough Detachment 1081 Marine Corps League in Cape Girardeau, where he was very involved with the Toys for Tots program.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by all six of his brothers and sisters.

Survivors include his two sons, Robert (Gabrielle) Chronister II of Cape Girardeau and Lonnie Chronister of St. Louis; daughter, LeeAnn (Michael) Phipps of Los Angeles, California; and two grandchildren, Emily Chronister and Lonnie Chronister II.

A memorial service will be at 1 p.m. May 1 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Friedheim, Missouri, with a committal with full Military honors in the church cemetery immediately following the service.

Memorial contributions may be made to Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, Gift Processing Administrator, 18251 Quantico Gateway Drive, Triangle, VA 22172.

Arrangements were entrusted to McCombs Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau.