John Elhanan ROPER

ROPER, MCFARLAND, WALTERS, PERRY

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 10/26/2015 at 22:16:44

May 26, 1910 --- December 30, 1971

John E. Roper dies Dec. 30

John E. Roper, 61, former Eagle Grove businessman suffered an apparent heart attack Thursday evening, Dec. 30, at his home and was pronounced dead upon arrival at Bethesda General Hospital, Fort Dodge. He had been in failing health for several years but his death was unexpected. Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the Wilson Funeral Home in charge of Rev. Emmett Braselton. Burial was in Memorial Park Cemetery, Fort Dodge.

Mr. Roper is survived by his wife; two sons, Roger of Kirksville, Mo. and Jack of Davenport; his mother, Mrs. Bertha Roper; one sister, Mrs. Charles Perry; one brother, Robert Roper, all of San Diego, Calif, and three grandchildren.

Mr. Roper was a life time resident of Eagle Grove. He served in the U.S. Navy in World War II, and was then associated with his father, Ray Roper, in the Roper Hardware Store here. He later owned and operated the Roper Hardware which was where Kramersmeier's Drug is now located. For 10 years preceding his illness, he was with the Iowa State Retail Sales Tax Commission. He was a member of Bower Lodge 464, and the Za Ga Zig Shrine.

OBITUARY

John Roper, son of Ray and Bertha Walters Roper, was born May 26, 1910, in Eagle Grove, Iowa. He received his education in the Eagle Grove Public Schools and was graduate of Eagle Grove High School. He attended the Eagle Grove Junior College two years and Iowa State University in Ames. On June 11, 1934 he was united in marriage to Marjorie McFarland in Eagle Grove and to this union two sons were born, Roger and Jack. He served in the United States Navy during World War II. John was associated with his father in the Roper Hardware Store many years and later was owner and operator of the store. For ten years previous to his illness he was associated with the Iowa State Retail Sales Tax Commission. He was a Mason, belonging to Bower Lodge 464 AF & AM in Eagle Grove and was a member of the Za Ga Zig Shrine.

Although John had been in failing health the past few years, his death was unexpected. At the time of his death, Thursday evening, December 30, 1971, he was a patient in the ambulance and was pronounced dead on arrival at the Bethesda General Hospital, Fort Dodge, Iowa. He was 61 years, 7 months and 4 days of age at the time of his passing.

John was preceded in death by his father, Ray Roper. He is survived by his wife, Marjorie; two sons, Roger of Kirksville, Mo. and Jack of Davenport, Ia.; three grandchildren; his mother, Mrs. Bertha Roper; one sister, Mrs. Charles Perry and one brother, Robert Roper, all of San Diego, Calif.

Masonic services were held Saturday, January 1 at 7:30 p.m. at the Wilson Funeral Home with the Bower Lodge 464 AF & AM in charge of services. Funeral services were held Sunday, Jan. 2 at 2:00 p.m. at the Wilson Chapel with Rev. Emmett Braselton officiating. Interment was in Memorial Park Cemetery, Fort Dodge.

NOTE:
[actually buried in Rose Hill Cemetery in Eagle Grove, Block 638, Lot 2, Space 4]

Eagle Grove Eagle -- Eagle Grove, Iowa
January 6, 1972