Robert Roy Ashcraft

SIOUX CITY -- Robert Roy "Bob" Ashcraft, 77, of Sioux City passed away Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2009, at a local hospital.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, January 4, 2010 at Concordia Lutheran Church, with the Rev. Ken Schmidt officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. today, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m. and a prayer service at 7 p.m., at Meyer Brothers Morningside Chapel, 6200 Morningside Ave.

Bob was born June 7, 1932, in Sioux City, the son of Arthur and Ella (Eastman) Ashcraft. He was a lifetime resident of Sioux City, attending public school and Central High School. He joined the U.S. Army National Guard and served from 1947-1950, stationed in Fort Riley, Kan., and Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. He then enlisted in the U.S. Navy during the Korean Conflict. He served 42 months in Korea and was awarded nine Battle Stars. He also toured on the U.S. Consolation Hospital Ship from 1950-1954.

He married Gloria Bretthauer on June 28, 1958, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Ute, Iowa. In 1958, he joined the Sioux City Fire Department, retiring in 1979. He was a member of Concordia Lutheran Church. Bob was a loyal New York Yankee and Iowa Hawkeye fan. He enjoyed solving the daily Sioux City Journal and Des Moines Register crossword puzzles.

Survivors include his son, Rick and wife, Paula Ashcraft; his daughter, Dawn and husband, Ken Anderson; grandchildren, Greg Ashcraft, Amber Schroeder, Jennifer Ashcraft, Alyssa Anderson, Jordyn Anderson and Leah Ashcraft; great-grandchildren, Kendall, Jada, Quinton and Mia; three sisters, Mildred Graim, June Lowery and Mae and husband, Robert Stephens; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Art and Ella Ashcraft; wife, Gloria; brothers, Thomas Ashcraft, Art Ashcraft Jr., Mike Ashcraft, Jim Hynes and John Hynes; sisters, Margaret Fursee, Marie Cole, Ann Hynes, Dorie Berens and Lucille Grenier; and special brothers-in-law, Jim Watke and Earl Berens.

Pallbearers will be Greg Ashcraft, Matthew Schroeder, Ross Stephens, Bob Stephens, Billy Berens and Randy Ohl. Honorary pallbearers will be Jeff Berens, Ryan Ohl, Mark Bretthauer, Buddy Lane Jr., Enoch "Shorty" Graim and Terry Watke.

The family would like to give a special thanks to all the nurses and doctors that cared for Bob, especially Dr. Gupta, Dr. Kahanic and Dr. Rosenkrans and staff; Bob Roe's Point After; his friends at the Horizon Restaurant; and the Great Southern Bank (Hamilton).

Memorial contributions may be given to the June E. Nylen Cancer Center in Bob's name.