Obituary of Jack W. Royston

Jack W. Royston, 94, passed away March 13, 2016 at Mercy Hospice in Iowa City, surrounded by his loving family. Funeral mass will be 10 a.m., Thursday, March 17th at St. Patrick Catholic Church, burial with military honors will follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4-6 p.m. Wednesday at the Gay and Ciha Funeral Service where a Rosary service will begin at 3:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Jack's name can be made to Iowa City Hospice or St. Patrick Catholic Church. Jack was born June 27, 1921 in Dayton, Ohio; son of Joe and Ina (Lovely) Royston. He proudly served in the US Marine Corp during WWII. Semper Fi was more than a moto for him, it was a way of life. Jack was a successful businessman in the insurance industry for over thirty years. After retiring, Jack started doing woodworking, a longtime dream of his. One of his favorite items to make were little tables and chairs for children, which he gave to young families and businesses. He also loved to golf and started the "Early Birds" golf league at High Point Golf Course. Other hobbies of his included photography, fishing and water skiing. Jack never met a stranger and will be remembered by his never ending smile, friendliness, the gift to gab and sharing stories of his adventures. During the last years of his life he said if he had to live his life over again, he wouldn't change a thing! He married Goldie (Schropp) on December 4, 1944 and raised four children. He will be deeply missed by his wife of 71 years; daughters, Sandy Romer (Larry) of Muscatine, Jill Royston and Kelly Royston of Iowa City; five grandchildren, Clint Royston (Natalie), Wendy Berry (Chad), Chad Romer (Megan), Nikki Romer and Heath Christianson; eight great-grandchildren and his brother, Ray Royston (Ellen) and their daughters, Melody and Amy of Florida. He was preceded in death by his parents, and son William "Bill."