Robert John Borkowski

ROBERT BORKOWSKI 

JERSEYVILLE - Robert John Borkowski, 83, of Jerseyville, IL passed away Tuesday, March 24th 2026.  Bob was born May 13, 1942 in Steubenville, OH to Sophia and Robert Walter Borkowski. He was a proud graduate of Steubenville Catholic Central High School (1963) where he showed distinction on the football field.  His athletic prowess led him to play football at Tennessee Technological University where he quickly became a 4 year starter on the offensive and defensive lines.  In 1964 during his senior season, Bob was selected by his coaches and teammates to receive Tennessee Tech’s highest honor, the Robert Hill Johnson Award, given to the player who makes the largest contribution to the team during the season. In 2022, Bob was selected to the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagle All-Century Team. 

After college, Bob moved to Joliet, Illinois to work as a roofer and continue his football career as a minor league player for the Joliet Explorers of the United Football League.  Beginning in 1965, he played two seasons as a member of the Joliet Explorers then ended his career playing a season for the newly formed Chicago Owls. In 1997, Bob was selected to the American Football Association’s Minor League Hall of Fame.

It was during his time in Joliet that Bob met the love of his life, Merri (Meier) Borkowski.  They married in 1969 and moved to Ypsilanti, Michigan where Merri taught high school and Bob pursued a teaching degree while coaching for Eastern Michigan University.  After graduation, Bob had teaching and coaching stops at Taylor Central High School and the Pontiac (Detroit) Arrows among other places.

In 1979, Bob and Merri moved to Big Rapids, Michigan – a place they would call home for the next 37 years– where Bob coached defensive backs and began working in the admissions office at Ferris State University.  Although his time coaching at Ferris State ended in 1984, Bob was still active in supporting his Bulldogs and volunteering to help coach at Big Rapids High School.  During his time at Ferris, Bob designed and implemented the school’s biggest annual student recruiting weekend, Autumn Adventure.

Soon after Merri’s death in 2016, Bob moved to Jerseyville, IL to be closer to family.  He enjoyed spending time watching his beloved Detroit Lions on Sundays with his sons and grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents Robert and Sophia, his brothers Anthony and John Joseph (JJ), sister Theresa (Borkowski) Lacey, wife Merri, and son Casey Borkowski.  He is survived by his son Brian (Jennifer) Borkowski, and daughter-in-law April Borkowski along with grandchildren Casey, Noah, Ivan, and Gemini. 

Crawford Funeral Home in Jerseyville has been entrusted with arrangements. 

Memories may be shared with the family by visiting www.crawfordfunerals.com

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