Obituaries : Bob McElrath

Bob McElrath

URBANA – Bob McElrath, 69, of Urbana, died Wednesday, December 26, 2012, at the VA Health Care System in Iowa City following a sudden illness.
Memorial visitation will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, December 30, 2012, at Van Steenhuyse-Russell Funeral Home in Vinton. A private family memorial service will be held at a later date.
Bob was born March 9, 1943, in Cortland, Ohio, the son of Jerauld and Alberta Edwards McElrath.
Bob proudly served his country in the United States Navy from 1960 until his honorable discharge in 1962.
On September 12, 1964, Bob was united in marriage with Sharon Newton at the Christian Church in Urbana. The couple enjoyed wintering in Charlotte, North Carolina, for the past couple of years.
Bob was a carpenter and worked out of Local Carpenters Union 308 in Cedar Rapids. He retired in 2004.
Bob enjoyed fixing tractors and hobby farming. He also enjoyed carpentry and rebuilding houses. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather, and he loved to “pick on” his family.
Bob is survived by his wife of 48 years, Sharon McElrath, of Urbana; mother-in-law Delores Newton of Urbana; two daughters: Deb (Mark) Harrison of Shellsburg and Kim (Steve) Pribyl of Cedar Rapids; one son: Jerauld (Christina Curry) McElrath of Urbana; three sisters: Janice Hainey of New Smyrna Beach, FL; Nancy (Roger) Newton of Urbana; and Joyce Lint of Center Point; four grandchildren: Mitch and Gordy Harrison and Matthew and Jarret McElrath; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Susan Michel; and two nephews: Rick Schlimmer and Larry “Poke” Michel.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established.
Van Steenhuyse-Russell Funeral Home of Vinton is caring for Bob and his family. Condolences may be left at www.vsrfh.com.