BLAKESLEY, Robert W. "Bob"
BLAKESLEY, WHITEIS, MARINER, BLACK, WARNER, SMITH, OHARA, DIRKSON, WILDER, FLEMING
Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 1/2/2019 at 04:38:10
Obituary ~ Robert Blakesley
March 14, 1927 ~ December 29, 2018The Globe Gazette
Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
Sunday, December 30, 2018MASON CITY --- Robert W. “Bob” Blakesley, 91, of Mason City, died Saturday (December 29, 2018) at his home surrounded by his loving family.
A memorial service will be held at 1:30 pm on Saturday (January 5, 2019) at Hogan Bremer Moore Colonial Chapel, 126 3rd St NE, Mason City. Military honors will be provided by the Mason City Veterans.
Bob’s family will greet relatives and friends one hour prior to the service.
The son of Ray and Bessie (Whiteis) Blakesley, Robert Whiteis Blakesley was born on March 14, 1927 in Independence, Missouri, one of eight children. At the age of 16 Bob enlisted in the United States Marine Corps where he honorably served his country during the occupation of Japan during World War II. Following his honorable discharge in July of 1946, Bob joined his parents in Mason City.
On December 20, 1951 Bob was united in marriage to Virginia Mariner in St. Louis, Missouri; together they would be blessed with 68 years of marriage and two daughters, Bobbi and Vicki. Bob and Virginia settled in Mason City where Bob owned and operated Blakesley Enterprises, steel fabrication and welding.
In his younger years Bob enjoyed stock car racing and was one of the first stock car drivers at the Iowa speedway. He was an avid hunter and fisherman; he and Ginny spent countless hours along the riverside fishing with friends. Together they loved playing cards at the Moose Lodge and VFW, of which Bob was a lifetime member of both.
Those grateful in sharing in his life are his wife, Virginia “Ginny” Blakesley, Mason City; daughters, Bobbi (Gene) Black, Clear Lake, Vicki (Larry) Warner, Mason City; grandchildren, Erin (Rocky) Smith and their children, Zander Lee and Calley Grace; Angie (Ryan) O’Hara and their children, Logan, Peyton, and Lauren; and Yolanda “Lonnie” (Rylie) Dirkson, and their son, Everett; his brothers and sister-in-law, Peter (Janelle) Mariner, Lenna Mae Wilder, and Gary Mariner; as well as many nieces, nephews and extended relatives and friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents, and siblings, Vern Blakesley, George Blakesley, Clarence Blakesley, Ray Blakesley, William Blakesley, Mary Louise Fleming, and Stanley Blakesley.
Online condolences at ColonialChapels.com, (641)423-2372.
Hogan Bremer Moore Colonial Chapel, 126 3rd St NE, Mason City.
Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, December of 2018
Cerro Gordo Obituaries maintained by Lynn Diemer-Mathews.
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