John Richard Roberts

John Richard Roberts, son of Elmer A. Roberts and Frances Workman Roberts, was born May 1, 1935 in Perry, Iowa and died on his 82nd birthday, May 1, 2017 at the Perry Lutheran Home in Perry, Iowa where he recently resided. A celebration of Johns life service was held at the First Baptist Church, Perry, Iowa at10:30 a.m. Friday, May 5, 2017 the church pastor Chris Tjapkes officiating. The honorary casket beares were "His Grandchildren" Jessica Harvey, Josh Harvey, Jake Roberts, Alex Hendricks, Cody Roberts, Kade Roberts, Lane Stokely, Christian Stokely, Reagan Stokely, Hayley Brandt, Kylie Brandt, Noah Brandt and Addison Brandt. Music was provided by Sue Tjapkes and Marlagene Andersen sang On Eagles Wings and the Amazing Grace was a congregational hymn. Burial was at Violet Hill Cemetery, Perry, Iowa After the burial every one return o the church for a lunch and fellowship. John's family moved to Allerton and later returned to Perry where he attended school. John married Eleanor Sue Smith and they were blessed with three daughters, Shona, Elaine, and Lorri and one son Kelly. John worked for the city of Perry and was an over the road trucker, driving throughout the nation. He worked for farmers, taking cattle to Chicago; moved furniture for his father-in-law, Gib Smith; and trucked for many others. His trucking career with Lee Kinney lasted many years. John then worked for the Perry Community Schools for over twenty years, retiring in1997. He was a fan of the Iowa Hawkeyes, and the Cubs and Cardinal baseball teams. John enjoyed westerns and motorcycles. However his family was his greatest love and source of enjoyment. John carved his grandchildren's names on his walking cane. John was preceded in death by his parents; son-in-law Brian Muller; sisters Beulah Roberts Woody; Mary Jane Henry; and infant sister Doris Ann Roberts and brothers David and Melford Roberts; and mother and father- in- law Gib and Lois Smith. John will be greatly missed and his memory cherished by his wife Eleanor Roberts; son Kelly Roberts (Jessica) of Prescott, AZ; daughters Shona Roberts and husband Mike Harvey of Ames; Elaine Stokely and husband Scott of Grimes; and Lorri Brandt and husband Troy of Adel; thirteen grandchildren: Jessica and Josh Harvey; Jake Roberts; Alex Hendricks; Cody and Kade Roberts; Lane, Christian, and Reagan Stokely; Hayley, Kylie, Noah, and Addison Brandt; sisters Katie Edmondson of Perry; and Margaret Smith and husband Smitty of Indiana; his sisters and brothers-in-law Sarah Neu and husband John of Ohio; Dixie Nelson and husband Dennis of Lake of the Ozarks; and Rick Smith of Arkansas; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. Memorials in his name may be sent to Hastings Funeral Home, Box 204, Perry, Iowa hastings@minburncomm.netnet www.hastingsfh.com hastingsfuneral@netins.net