March 18, 2010
JOLIET -- Robert W. Eunson, a former Joliet city councilman and business owner, was killed in a crash Wednesday.
The collision occurred at Minooka and Middle roads in Grundy County at 7:50 a.m. Eunson's vehicle was struck by a van. The accident is being investigated by the Grundy County Sheriff's Department.
Eunson, 57, recently was a resident of rural Morris.
He lived in Joliet in 1989 when he was appointed to the city council. He won a subsequent election and served one full term as a councilman at large until 1993 when defeated in a re-election bid.
"He was very interested in historic preservation," said Joliet City Councilman Michael Turk, who served with Eunson. "He was real active in trying to preserve the character of the city."
Eunson was among the Joliet Area Historical Society board members who were instrumental in the creating of the Joliet Area Historical Museum.
A dental technician, he owned Eunson Dental Laboratories in downtown Joliet. At the same time, Eunson owned The Old House Emporium, a business that grew out of his hobby of renovating vintage buildings.
In more recent years, Turk said, Eunson and a son bought a Maaco auto body business in Blue Island, reflecting his interest in automobiles.
In a 1991 interview with The Herald-News Eunson remarked on the best advice he ever received: "If you enjoy what you are doing for a living, no matter what it is, you will be successful."
Funeral arrangements are pending but will be handled by the Carlson-Holmquist-Sayles Funeral Home at 2320 Black Road in Joliet.