64905_Loren_McRoberts
Greene — Funeral services for Loren J. McRoberts, 91, of Greene, will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, August 7, 2013, at the Church of the Brethren in Greene, with Pastor Ann Donat officiating. Burial will be in the Rose Hill Cemetery, Greene, with military honors conducted by Tack-Barnett Post 268 American Legion of Greene.
Visitation will be from 4 until 7 p.m. today, Tuesday, August 6, 2013, at Reid’s Funeral Chapel, 519 N. First St.in Greene where there will be a public prayer service at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue at the church one hour before services on Wednesday.
Loren J. McRoberts was born on July 27, 1922, in Orange Township, Black Hawk County, Iowa. He was one of four children born to John W. and Wilma A. (Saylor) McRoberts and died Friday, August 2, 2013, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.
Loren was raised during the Depression on a farm and attended country schools before graduating from Greene High School in 1940. He continued his education at the National School of Aeronautics in Kansas City, majoring in engine maintenance.
Following graduation in 1941, Loren was employed by Pratt and Whitney in Hartford, Connecticut. For two years, Loren mounted motors on stands and tested them for performance. In 1943 Loren was inducted into the United States Army. He fought in the Battle of the Bulge where he was wounded in action for which he received the Purple Heart. He was awarded the Silver Star by the United States, and the Bronze Star by the French.
Following the war, Loren returned to Greene and went into business with his father, John W. McRoberts of McRoberts Implement Company.
On June 7, 1947, Loren was united in marriage to Pearletta Bellows at the Presbyterian Church in Greene. This union was blessed with three children: John, Jane, and Mary Kate.
In 1969 Loren constructed the McRoberts Implement Shop on North First Street where the business remained for 43 years.
Loren was a past president of the Round Grove Country Club, a member of the Cemetery Board for many years and a member of Tack-Barnett Post 268 American Legion of Greene. He enjoyed traveling, wintering in Texas, playing golf, Bridge and “500.”
Loren was a Christian whose close walk with Christ and devoted service to the Church was apparent to all. Faithfully, over the years, he served as Moderator, Chairman of the board of Directors, Trustee, Treasurer, and as a member of both the Finance and Ministerial Boards.
Loren will be remembered as an honest, hardworking man, devoted to his church, family, and community.
Surviving family members include his wife of 66 years, Pearletta; three children: John (LeAnn) McRoberts of Greene, Jane (Todd) Berkley of Fort Meyers, Fla., Mary Kate (Ed) Schlenger of Marcus, Iowa; seven grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren; one sister, Joan Oberg of Prescott, Ariz., and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Richard McRoberts, and one sister, Marylou Gilholm.
Those planning an expression of sympathy may direct memorials to the Loren McRoberts Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 219, Greene, Iowa 50636
Arrangements have been entrusted to Reid’s Funeral Chapel, 519 N. First St., Greene, 641-823-4457 www.reidsfuneralchapel.