Robert Wayne Crawford

Robert Wayne Crawford was born April 2, 1941, at Waterloo, Iowa, the son of John Wayne and Mary Catherine Hagarty Crawford. The family lived near Waterloo, moved in 1946 to Floyd County and in 1954, moved to the family farm, southwest of Winthrop, Iowa.

After graduating from Winthrop High School with the class of 1959, Bob attended Loras College, and worked at Microswitch in Independence, Iowa, before enlisting in the U.S. Army in 1963. He served overseas in Italy and was honorably discharged in 1966. After returning, he attended Gates Business College in Waterloo, Iowa, and worked at Chamberlain Manufacturing in Waterloo, prior to his 27 year career with the U.S. Postal Service in Independence. After retirement, he became custodian for the Independence Post Office and St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Winthrop.

Bob was a life long member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church, where he was a lector, a Eucharist Minister, a cantor, and a willing volunteer. A life member of VFW Post #2440 of Independence, he was proud to have served his country. Traveling by car, bus, airplane, and ship, he loved to vacation across the United States and abroad; taking his parents, siblings, nieces and nephews. Many yearly Canadian trips, fishing for Northern and Walleye, created numerous end-of-summer family memories. Having a great mind for details, dates, and names, Bob was the family's genealogical authority. Being the first to help others, he had many endearing qualities including humbleness, selflessness, and bigheartedness. He will also be remembered for his beautiful wildflower gardens and love of animals, especially farm cats and his most current dog, Bailey.

At 68 years of age, Robert entered into his eternal rest on Friday, March 26, 2010, at the Buchanan County Health Center in Independence, following a courageous battle with leukemia.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Wayne and Catherine.

Surviving him are his eleven brothers: John (Kathy), Dan (Ruth), Ron (Dianne), and Larry (Sarah), all of Independence; Russell of Exira, Iowa; Pete (Jolene) of Red Oak, Iowa; Kenny (Lila) of Vail, Iowa; Terry (Connie) of Denison, Iowa; Mike (Page) and Steve (Audrey), both of Nevada, Iowa; and Dennis (Renny) of Grinnell, Iowa; five sisters: Mary (Mario) Compean of San Antonio, TX; Jane (Bill) Falkers of Genoa, WI; Rose (Jeff) Grover and Margaret (Lyle) Hosch, both of Independence; and Patricia (Mike) Buscher of Mundelein, IL; many nieces and nephews; and other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, March 31, 2010, in St. Patrick's Catholic Church at Winthrop, with Father Donald J. Plamondon officiating. Music will be provided by Ann Slattery and St. Patrick's Choir. Casketbearers will be his brothers. Interment will be in St. Mary of Mt. Carmel Cemetery at Eagle Center, Iowa, with military rites.

Friends may call at the Fawcett Funeral Home in Winthrop from 2 PM until 8 PM Tuesday, March 30, 2010, and until 10:30 A.M. Wednesday, March 31, 2010. A Rosary will be recited at 2 PM and a Scripture Service at 8 PM on Tuesday at Fawcett's. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.fawcettsfuneralhome.com under obituaries.