Robert "Bob" Radel

Robert John Radel, 87, of Keokuk, Iowa, died at 11:40 AM, Sunday, March 29, 2015, at the Illinois Veterans' Home in Quincy, Illinois. Bob was born January 14, 1928, in Keokuk, Iowa, a son of Orville and Mary Greaves Radel. He was united in marriage to Myrna Jo Scott on April 17, 1948, in Kahoka, Missouri. Bob served in World War II in both the United States Navy and the Coast Guard as a Damage Controlman Third Class Petty Officer. He was an over road truck driver for more than 60 years. He started driving just after getting out of the service, hauling livestock to Chicago from Elvaston, Illinois. He drove for Dohrn Transfer in Keokuk from 1952 to 1966. He then drove for Midwest Carbide Corporation from 1966 to 1988. He worked for Vermillion Bros. Trucking and Vradenburg Trucking until he was 80 years old and had to quit for health reasons. He truly enjoyed his profession. He was known as "Banjo" by his friends and co-workers on the road. Bob knew no strangers and was well liked by all fellow truck drivers and business owners along his routes. He had a wonderful sense of humor and always had something to say about everything. Bob was a fifty-year member of Masonic Lodge...[more]

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d the Shriners. He belonged to The American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was a past member of Keokuk Yacht Club. In his earlier years of good health, he spent almost every weekend with his family on a hobby farm he and his wife owned in Missouri. It was a special place for him and he shared countless memories there with his family. Bob is survived by two sons, Lonnie Radel of Weaver, Iowa, and Ronnie (Vicki) Radel of Keokuk; and a brother, Bill Radel. Also surviving are five grandchildren: Angie Davidson, Adam (Cecillee) Radel, Weslee (Mary) Radel, Jason Radel, and Shauna Radel (Ryan) Frietag, and six great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his loving wife of 48 years in April, 1996, a brother Orville "Sony" Radel, two sisters, Margaret Radel Glasscock and Mary Jane Radel Miller, a daughter-in-law Carmen Jean Radel, and a special friend and companion Norma Jean Gibson. A Celebration of his life will be at 10:30 AM, Wednesday, April 1, 2015 at DeJong-Greaves Celebration of Life Center at 917 Blondeau Street with Rev. David Turner officiating. Burial with full military rites will follow in Keokuk National Cemetery. Visitation will be after 3:00 PM Tuesday, March 31, at DeJong-Greaves at 917 Blondeau with family meeting friends from 6 to 8. A public Masonic memorial service will be at 8:00 PM Tuesday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested for the Alzheimer's Association or Shriners' Hospital.