Robert Aldrich

Robert J. Aldrich, 70, of Melrose, Iowa, and formerly of Marshalltown, Iowa, passed away on November 5, 2017 in Des Moines, Iowa. Robert James Aldrich was born on January 4, 1947 in Marshalltown, Iowa. He was the son of Berdell and Frances (Bwol) Aldrich. He attended school in Garwin and graduated with the Class of 1965. He played basketball, baseball and was active in 4H. Bob attended Marshalltown Community College where he played baseball and received an AT degree in auto mechanics. He furthered his education at Bailey Tech in St. Louis, Missouri. In 1989 he earned a B. A. of business degree from Buena Vista University. He met and married Lenore Kreinheder in St. Louis and moved to Marshalltown. To this union two daughters, Nicole and Christine, were born. They later divorced. On July 21, 1979 he married Lona Ferguson at Grace UMC in Marshalltown. They made their home until retirement and moved to Lake Rathbun in 2010. Before retirement Bob was employed as a mechanic, a school transportation director, a financial planner, and a substitute teacher. Bob loved his family, friends, deer hunting, traveling, woodworking, and the Minnesota Vikings. Bob is survived by his wife, Lona, of Melrose, IA; daughters, Nicole Williams of Allen, TX and Christine McKibben of Waukee, IA; grandchildren: Preston, Carson, and Ashlyn Williams and Gavin McKibben. He is also survived by three brothers: Allen (Jill), Gary (Jan), Steve (Lee Ann), all of Garwin; sisters, Patricia (Paul) Bischoff of Garnavillo, IA, and Karen (Tim) Duden of Gladbrook; and in-law Robert Ferguson, of Sartell, MN; and also several nieces and nephews and their children. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, mother-in-law Ruth, and granddaughter, Morgan. Memorials may be directed to the family, which will be used for a scholarship for students in the trades at Marshalltown Community College. Visitation will be 4 6 p.m. at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home on Wednesday, November 8, 2017. Funeral services will be at St. Henry Catholic Church on Thursday, November 9, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. Mitchell Family Funeral is in charge of arrangements