Jack Duane Roberts (1936-2019)

ROBERTS, WOODSON, NEGAN, SIEMENS, PHILLIPS, LUND, BRIESE, SCHRAGE

Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 5/17/2021 at 16:53:12

From Fredregill Family Funeral Home obituary, Collins and Zearing, Story County, Iowa:

Jack Duane Roberts, 83, of Zearing, IA passed away on Sunday, April 28, 2019 at the Douglas County Health Center/Hospice floor in Omaha, Nebraska. Jack had been for a short period of time prior, a resident of the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown, IA, where he and Darlene had moved to on July 9, 2018. Visitation will be on Thursday, May 2, 2019 from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. at the Cornerstone Church of Christ in Zearing. His funeral will be on Friday, May 3, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. at the Cornerstone Church of Christ with Pastor Chuck Ryan officiating. Burial will follow in the Lincoln Township Cemetery in Zearing, Iowa.

Jack was the second of 3 children born to Francis Bernard and Arline (Mabel Arline Woodson) Roberts at their home in Greenfield, IA, on March 12, 1936. Growing up Jack was a roving child, taking off for places of interest. Such as the sale barn and fun with his cousins at the swimming pool. He rode his Indian Pony, "Tony", as much as he could, winning several races in Adair County. In 1952 his family moved to Shell Rock, Iowa. It was there, Jack attended Shell Rock High School, beginning his Junior Year. That first summer he worked helping his dad in the Quarries around Shell Rock. He met his High School Sweetheart, Darlene Negan in 1953. Jack joined the Navy in 1954 after graduating from High School. Jack spent four years in active service in the United States Navy, being deployed each year to the Mediterranean Sea.

Jack and Darlene were married in Parkersburg, Iowa in 1956. To this union, was born five children; Rodney Alan Roberts (wife Trish), Deborah Ann Siemens (husband James), Terry Duane Roberts, Cynthia Rae Phillips (husband Virgil) and Angela Lynn Lund (husband Brian). He has 11 grandchildren 14 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Jack attended Upper Iowa University in Fayette, Iowa. He graduated in January of 1962 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education. Jack taught 35 years of school. In 1962, Jack started teaching in Monona Farmersburg and Luana (MFL) Marmac High School district in Monona, Iowa where Jack taught social studies in Junior High. In 1964 Jack attended Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa to earn his Driver's Ed Degree in August 1964. Jack then began teaching at NESCO High School in Zearing, Iowa then Colo-Nesco in Colo, Iowa. After living in McCallsburg from 1964-68, the family moved to Zearing from 1968 - 2018. Dad enjoyed coaching Girls High school Softball and Track. He was known to his fellow students as Mr. Roberts, aka Iron Shorts and Capt. Jack.

Jack is preceded in death by his loving wife of 62 years, Darlene Ann (Negan) Roberts and his parents, Francis and Arline Roberts; In-laws Henry and Anna Negan, one grandson, Ryan Douglas Roberts(son of Rodney and Trish Roberts), who died in infancy, a sister, Beverly (Roberts) Briese and Brother-In-Law, Robert Briese, a nephew Bobby Briese, a Sister-In-Law, Barbara Jean (Negan) Schrage and Brother-In-Law, James Henry Negan.

Those left to cherish his loving memory are his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, his brother, Jimmy (Jim) Roberts (wife Virginia), Brother-in-Law, Darwin Schrage, Brother -In-Law, Ronald Negan (wife Susan) and sister-in-law Lee (OK_Hui) Negan and many nieces and nephews.

Jack was a devoted Christian and his heart was a life line of love for the Cornerstone Church of Christ south of Zearing, Iowa, known as "THE CHURCH IN THE CORNFIELD." He was of one of the Founding Fathers who started that church in 2003. Prior, the family attended Liscomb Church of Christ and did lay preaching throughout the State of Iowa. Jack was a member of the American Legion, Post 116. He was an avid Hawkeye fan and John Wayne, The Duke, fan. He took great pride in their property in Zearing, which will always be known as "Jack & Darlene's House". The beautiful, big, red house on North Olive street. Loved by all, he leaves great memories that include lots of love and laughter.

Memorial contributions may be directed in Jack's name to the University of Iowa Children's Hospital, St. Jude's Children's Hospital, or the Cornerstone Church of Christ.

http://www.fredregillfunerals.com/
 

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