Richard Luverne Roark 1929-2001

ROARK PETERSEN FORCH

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 7/12/2011 at 22:48:09

Sioux City Journal
30 September 2001

ANTHON, Iowa -- Richard Luverne Roark, 71, of Anthon died Thursday, Sept. 27, 2001, at a Sioux City hospital.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Monday at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Anthon, with the Rev. Bill Schreiber officiating. Burial will be in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, with military rites conducted by American Legion McNiff Post 389. Visitation will be after 2 p.m. today, with a prayer service at 7 p.m., at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Armstrong Funeral Home in Anthon.

Mr. Roark was born Nov. 11, 1929, in rural Correctionville, Iowa, the son of Edward and Lena (Petersen) Roark. He attended rural school and graduated from Anthon High School. After graduation, he worked for the telephone company and served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He then owned the Spot Light Tavern, and later he and his wife owned and operated Marge's Place. It was then that he became employed with the U.S.D.A. Soil Conservation Service where he worked for 29 years, retiring in 1990. In 1977, while he was with the U.S.D.A., he and his wife purchased Bob's Place, renaming it the Cozy Inn until fire destroyed it in 1987. He also farmed for many years and worked for Douglas Cable, selling cable television, and then later for Comserv LTD, selling both cable and satellite television. In 1989, he was elected mayor of Anthon, serving until 1999, retiring due to health problems.

He married Margaret Forch, the daughter of Albert and Margaret (Leahy) Forch, on Nov. 10, 1955, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Anthon

He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Anthon, and American Legion McNiff Post 389 of Anthon. He was also a commissioner for the Woodbury County Soil and Water Conservation and was on the Landfill Committee and the 911 Commission.

He enjoyed sports, supporting all his daughters and grandchildren in their athletic activities. He also sponsored a slow-pitch softball team, the Cozy Inn, for several years. He enjoyed playing and sponsoring his family's volleyball team and hosting tournaments in Anthon. He also found pleasure in bowling and bowled in various leagues in several tournaments.

Survivors include Margaret, his wife of 45 years; five daughters, Carole Jean and her husband, Mike Libke of Correctionville, Iowa, Linda Ann Kellogg and her special friend, Cliff Carman of Anthon, Barbara Kay and her husband, Bart Byriel of Estherville, Iowa, Connie Marie and her husband, Scott Yockey of Anthon, and Susan Janet and her husband, Dale Bradley of Estherville; 12 grandchildren; a stepgrandchild; three great-grandchildren; two sisters, Margaret Adler of Anthon, and Juanita Rickabaugh and her husband, Everett of Belvidere, Ill.; a sister-in-law, Pat Roark of Anthon; along with other relatives, neighbors and good friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife's parents, Albert and Margaret Forch; and a brother, Raymond Roark.