Robert M. Flynn

KEOTA ? Robert M. Flynn, 89, of Keota, died Saturday, May 21, 2011, in the Washington County Hospital in Washington.

A memorial Mass will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 25, at Holy Trinity Parish-St. Mary Catholic Church in Keota with the Rev. Charles Fladung officiating. Burial will be at Holy Trinity Cemeteries-St. Mary Cemetery in Keota. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the church, where there will be a wake service at 7 p.m. Memorials may be made to the Robert M. Flynn memorial fund. Powell Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Keota is handling the arrangements.

Mr. Flynn was born Dec. 15, 1921, in Washington, the son of Michael and Mary Almyra (Taylor) Flynn. He married Darlene Conrad on Jan. 27, 1948, at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Harper.

He graduated from Washington High School. After graduation he enlisted in the Navy for six years. He was on ship during the Pearl Harbor attack. He served on several ships, including the USS New Orleans, USS Massachusetts, USS Hampton and USS Winslow. For his service in the American, Asiatic Pacific and European African Areas he received the following medals and honors: American Defense Medal and one star; nine stars for Asiatic Pacific service; one star for European African Service; World War II Victory and Good Conduct Medals. He was discharged on Dec. 16, 1946, as a Gunner?s Mate First Class. He bought a farm and spent the rest of his life farming, which he loved. He enjoyed running around the house with his grandchildren and driving his old blue pickup around the country at 15 miles an hour to check the crops. He loved the farm life, working with the land, tiling, bulldozing, playing cards, reading, and visiting with people of all ages.

Surviving are his wife; seven children, Daniel Flynn of Keota, Linda Greiner of Chariton, Jim Flynn of Harper, Nancy Tutor of Le Claire, Cindy Lebsack of Washington, Janie Odegard of Le Claire, and Doug Flynn of Keota; 20 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one daughter, Patricia; one granddaughter; one sister, Violet Putman; and three brothers, Taylor, John, and Richard Flynn.