Robert 'Bob' Cannady (1925-2007)

CANNADY, PRESTON, MILES, SMALLMAN, PEREZ, STELLA

Posted By: Dorothy Gosse (email)
Date: 12/7/2007 at 16:23:55

OELWEIN — Robert “Bob” F. Cannady, 82, died Friday, Nov. 30, 2007, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids after a short illness.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 4, at the Geilenfeld Funeral Home, Oelwein, with Father Harry Koelker officiating. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery.

Friends may call from 4 until 7 p.m. Monday at the Geilenfeld Funeral Home, with a military memorial service at 6:30 p.m. conducted by Ross Reid Post 9 American Legion of Oelwein.

Robert "Bob" Francis Cannady was born Jan. 27, 1925 in Oelwein, Iowa, the son of Joe R. and Grace M. Cannady. He grew up in the Oelwein area, graduating from Oelwein Community High School in 1943. Bob enlisted into the U.S. Navy on July 1, 1943, where he attended Ursinus College, Muhlenberg College and Cornell College, and was honorably discharged on July 28, 1946. Bob received his B.A. from the University of Iowa in 1948. On June 5, 1947 he was united in marriage to Jean Preston in Iowa City. Jean past away on Oct. 1, 1987. Later on July 1, 1989 he married Maxine Miles, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Oelwein; she died on Nov. 28, 2004. In 1948 Bob joined his father-in-law, Warren Preston at Preston Lumber Center in Oelwein and later became the owner and operator. Bob retired in 1980.

He was a life long "Hawkeye Fan," enjoyed being a comic and pulling funny gags, but his best time was spent with the school children at Sacred Heart and Wings Park, Bob loved to make people laugh, smile and be happy. Bob touched a lot of lives, especially the younger children, and they will all dearly miss him.

Bob was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, American Legion, Oelwein Jaycees, Oelwein Rotary Club, Oelwein Lions Club, past president of Oelwein Chamber of Commerce, a board member of Iowa Lumber Dealers Assoc., Board member of Directors of N.W. Lumber Dealers Assoc., Oelwein City Council (Mayor Pro Tem), Oelwein Board of Adjustments and longtime volunteer at Sacred Heart Catholic School and Wings Park School in Oelwein.

He is survived by his children, Cheryl (Ron) Smallman of Norfolk, Va., Terry (Mary) Cannady of Decorah, Gary (Connie) Cannady of Cedar Rapids, Michael (Marilyn) Cannady of Hiawatha, and Patty (Mike) Perez of Blossom, Texas; 14 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Jean, his second wife, Maxine, a brother James Cannady, two half-brothers, Leonard Stella and Melvin Stella and his parents, Joe and Grace.

Oelwein Daily Register - 3 December 2007