Robert W. Church

SIOUX CITY | Robert W. Church, 86, of Sioux City, died Dec. 3, 2013, at a local hospital. Memorial services will be 2 p.m. Saturday at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel with Bob Schoenherr officiating. Military rites will follow the service Saturday at the funeral home. Burial will be Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be the hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Condolences may be sent online at www.meyerbroschapels.com. Robert was born on April 10, 1927, in Sioux City, the son of Dewey and Esther (Carlson) Church. At the age of 16, Bob started working for Illinois Central Railroad. He served with the U.S. Army during World War II. Bob retired after 44 years with the railroad. On April 10, 1948, he married Mary E. Bradley in Sioux City. They raised five children. Mary died on Aug. 18, 1995 in Sioux City. Bob enjoyed giving back to people. He often shared sweet rolls and homemade bread with his friends at his apartment. You would usually find Bob sitting back in his recliner watching old movies and sitcoms. He enjoyed going out and about in Sioux City, meeting up with his old railroad buddies for coffee, and telling stories down in the apartment lobby. He was a good-spirited man with lots of jokes and stories to tell. He also enjoyed teasing his grandchildren. In earlier years, Bob enjoyed traveling with Mary and playing bingo with her. Survivors include five children, Robert Church and his wife, Kathleen of Rochester, Minn., Brad Church of Sioux City, Dennis Church and his wife, Melanie of Bradenton, Fla., Douglas Church of Los Angeles, Calif., and Melanie Horton and her husband, Paul of Sioux City; eight grandchildren, Dana, John, Molly, Katie, Wesley, Franny, Mary and Danny; great-grandchildren; his best friend, Donald Brown; a niece, Julie and her husband, Rick; and a nephew, Joe. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; and a sister, Delores Nichols. Honorary pallbearers will be his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.