McIlrath, Robert L. 1942-2007

MCILRATH, SCOFIELD, FULFORD, LILJESTRAND, MOUNT, RYAN

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 5/11/2010 at 09:30:45

Grinnell Herald-Register (Grinnell, Iowa) June 4, 2007

ROBERT L. MCILRATH

Robert L. "Bobby" McIlrath, 64, of Altamonte Springs, Fla., and formerly of Newburg died on Monday, May 28, 2007, at his home.

Funeral services for Robert L. McIlrath will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, June 5, at the Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell with the Rev. David F. Raymond, pastor of the Gilman Community United Church of Christ, officiating. Casket bearers will include Dennis, Stan, Jeremy, Justin and Brian McIlrath, Gary Mount, Alan Edwards, Justin Ryan, John Edwards and Michael Steffen. Interment will be at Prairie View Cemetery in Gilman.

A luncheon for family and friends will be held at the Gilman American Legion Hall following the graveside service. The family will be present at the Smith Funeral Home an hour prior to the service.

Condolences to the family may be left online via the web site www.smithfh.com

He was born on Nov. 5, 1942, in Grinnell, the son of John Raymond and Alice Scofield McIlrath. He was raised in Newburg and graduated from Grinnell High School with the class of 1961. He also attended Ellsworth College in Iowa Falls.

His first marriage, to Barbara Fulford, produced a daughter, Michelle; the marriage ended in divorce.

On Dec. 31, 1974, he married Kathy Liljestrand. The couple had two children, Kaley and Brian.

He worked as an engineer in the telecommunications industry and retired from Sprint Telecommunications Co. after 27 years of employment there.

He was an avid Iowa Hawkeye fan and enjoyed playing and watching baseball. He also enjoyed dancing, NASCAR and retoring vintage autos--including his 1957 Chevys and his 1966 Corvette.

He is survived by his wife; a son and two daughters; three grandchildren; his mother; a brother, Dennis McIlrath of Grinnell; and a sister, Wendy Mount of Scranton, Iowa. He was preceded in death by his father, a sister, Norma Ryan; and a brother, John R. McIlrath Jr.

Memorials may be directed to the Hospice of the Comforter, 480 West Central Parkway, Altamonte Springs, Fla., or to Grinnell Regional Hospice.