Obituary of Frank J. Roberts

Frank J. Roberts, 90, lifelong resident of Iowa City, died Tuesday, March 17th at Mercy Hospice in Iowa City with his family by his side. Funeral services will be held 10 a.m., Saturday, March 21st at the Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City where visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m., Friday. Burial with military honors will be at Memory Gardens Cemetery in Iowa City. Memorials in Frank's name can be made to Iowa City Hospice. Online condolences can be sent to his family at www.gayandciha.com. Frank was born July 18, 1924 at home in Iowa City; son of Frank A. and Mary (Vandenberg) Roberts. He attended City High until his junior year when he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving in the S. Pacific during WWII where he spent most of his time on the USS John R. Craig. Upon returning to Iowa City, he married Mary E. Reed on January 20, 1947. He worked for Capen supply for 13 years before joining Breese's retiring as a manager in 1989 after 29 years of service. After retirement, golf soon lost its appeal and Frank went back to work with auto dealers, driving cars from one place to another, a job he loved and continued to do for another 21 years. He's a member of First Presbyterian Church in Iowa City, the Solon American Legion and the Moose Lodge. Frank attended 16 reunions from his Navy days and had the privilege to take an Honor Flight a few years ago with his daughter, Deb; a trip he has cherished since. His family includes his wife, Mary; daughter, Deb Roberts of Coralville; son, Ron Roberts and his wife, Linda of Highland Ranch, CO; grandchildren, Jennifer Poznanovic and her husband, Jeff and Kelli Schow and her husband, Steve; two great-grandchildren on their way and Frank's brother, William "Bill" Roberts and his wife, Carol of Parnell and many nieces and nephews. His family would like to acknowledge the graceful and loving care provided to Frank and their family by Iowa City Hospice over the last several days. Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service is caring for Frank's family and his services.