Robert E. Abernathy

Born in North English, IA on August 6, 1926
Departed on September 25, 2008. Resided in Cedar Rapids, IA.

Memorial

Robert E. Abernathy, 82, of 962 Kerry Lane SE, died Thursday September 25, 2008 in St. Luke's Hospital following a long illness. Services: 11:00 a.m. Monday at Cedar Memorial Chapel of Memories by the Rev. Jonathan Offt from Trinity Lutheran Church. Visitation will be on Sunday at Cedar Memorial Funeral Park Funeral Home from 2:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. and after 10:00 a.m. at the chapel on Monday. Entombment: Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.

Survivors include his wife Betty, his children, Mary Abernathy of San Francisco, California, Ann Bockelman Tarryl of North Liberty, stepchildren, Terry Drexler Patti of Cedar Rapids, Debra Wernimont Robert of Cedar Rapids and Sonny Drexler of Denver, Colorado. Also surviving is 14 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and a sister, Elizabeth"Betty".

Robert was born August 6, 1926 in North English, the son of Paul and Marie McLain Abernathy. He married Hazel Kathryn Hamilton in 1949 in Cedar Rapids. She died in 1964. He then married Betty Moss on June 10, 1965 in Cedar Rapids. Robert was a letter carrier for the United States Postal Service for 35 years and then worked for 20 years with Brookfield Uniform Company. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church where he was active in the men's group, the school and the choir singing duet many times with Eldred Gerhold. He enjoyed golf, woodworking, working with jewelry and leather. He loved the outdoors partaking in fishing, camping and traveling. Robert served in the U.S. Army during World War II and Korea, earning the rank of Master Sergeant. Military Rites will be conducted by the V.F.W. Post #788. Please leave a message or tribute to the Robert Abernathy family on our web page, www.cedarmemorial.com under obituaries.

Memorials may be made to St. Luke's Hospice or Trinity Lutheran Church.