Ralph Roberts Jr.

Ralph Roberts Jr., 89, of Fairfield, died Friday, Dec. 23, 2016, in Parkview Care Center in Fairfield.

Visitation for family and friends will be from 5 to 7 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 27, at Behner Funeral Home in Fairfield. A private graveside service will be at Howard Grove Cemetery with military rites. Memorials can be made to the VFW. Cards and memorials can be mailed to: Wade Roberts, 2862 Salina Road, Fairfield, IA 52556.

Mr. Roberts was born Aug. 19, 1927, in Fairfield, the son of Ralph B. and Goldie E. (Hill) Roberts Sr. He married Barbara Allen on Sept. 30, 1947. The couple celebrated 50 years of marriage before she died on Feb. 13, 1998.

He lived all his life in Fairfield. He served in the Navy during World War II in the Pacific. He farmed and worked at Dexter, Rockwell and Loudens. In 1972 he retired from the factory and farmed full time. He received two Soil Conservation awards. He was a member of the VFW for more than 60 years. He enjoyed reading, gardening, farming, and his dog. He followed the Iowa Hawkeyes and Iowa State, and was a Cubs fan.

Surviving are two children, Wade Roberts and wife Janet of Fairfield, and Pamela Ausman and husband Jerry of Fairfield; six grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Goldie Roberts Sr.; his wife, Barbara Roberts; one brother, Jack Roberts; one sister, Pat Perian; and 14 half brothers and half sisters.