Marion (Red) Willis Roberts

ROBERTS, GROVES, SMITH, SEAMSTER

Posted By: Steve MIller (email)
Date: 12/1/2008 at 20:39:35

Printed in the Ottumwa Courier 12-1-08:
Roberts, Marion W.

BLOOMFIELD — Marion W. “Red” Roberts, 94, formerly of Milton died at 6:05 a.m. Saturday Nov. 29, 2008 in the long-term care unit of Davis County Hospital, Bloomfield, where he had resided since August, 2006. He was born Jan. 18, 1914 in Liberty, Neb. to James and Sarah Jane Groves Roberts. He married Dorothy Nichols on March 2, 1937 in Ottumwa.Red graduated from Milton High School where was quarterback on the football team. He and Dorothy lived for a time in Lockridge, where he worked in a lumberyard. They then moved to Milton where he was manager of Wormhoudt Lumber Co. which later became Denniston and Partridge Co. Red was the manager of the Milton yard for 40 years. He was a long-time member of Milton Christian Church and served many years on its official board, served a long time as secretary of the Milton School Board and as a member of the Milton City Council. He was active in the former Aurora Masonic Lodge, Milton, and most recently belonged to Celestial Lodge No. 413, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Douds, with a record of more than 50 years of Masonic service. He was also a member and strong supporter of the American Humane Society.Surviving him are his wife of the Davis County Hospital long-term care unit; daughter, Deborah Dickman and husband, James of Pasco, Wash.; two grandchildren, James and Jalyn Roberts, two great-grandchildren, Keira and Edan Roberts; other relatives and friends.He was preceded in death by his parents; two sons, James L. Roberts and Larry Roberts in infancy; an infant daughter, Mona Roberts; two sisters, Catherine Weir Miller and Margaret Aeschliman and a brother, Charles “Pedro” Roberts. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m., Thursday, in Milton Christian Church with minister Justin DeVries officiating. Masonic rites by Celestial Lodge will follow the funeral at the church. Burial will be in Sunnyside Cemetery, Milton. Visitation will be open 2-7 p.m. Wednesday at Pedrick Funeral Home, Keosauqua, with family present 3-4 p.m. Memorials to Heartland Humane Society may be left at the funeral home or church or mailed to the family at 4114 Vista Place, Pasco, WA 99301