JR Roberts

JR Roberts, 26, passed away Saturday, April 27, 2019, in Keokuk Iowa. JR was born October 31, 1992. JR attended Catholic school in the Old St. Vincent's building, now known as the Crossing Church. He later attended Illini West High School in Carthage, IL. JR had a passion for caring for animals, especially dogs and pigs. He was able to apply that passion in a few jobs while growing up. JR also had jobs as a paper boy and a TSC in Keokuk. Although JR was young, he held quite a few jobs in his life. Another passion of JR's was music. He enjoyed all kinds but, hip hop and rap were his favorite. JR was always rapping and putting rhymes to paper. In 2015, JR, became a father to a beautiful baby girl. JR and his girlfriend, Crystal Victor, chose the name Lyric for their daughter, as they both share a love of music. JR was the type of person who could fill a room with laughter and he loved being the center of attention. However, anyone that knew JR, knew that he was at the center quite often. Growing up, Jr shared his days with several cousins and friends and his brother Richie. When he wasn't hanging out with friends, he enjoyed traveling in the Semi with his dad, Richard. A ho...[more]

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of JR and Richard's that they enjoyed very much while on the road, was collecting truck stop cards. Every year on JR's birthday, the family would celebrate with him. Having not known his father much growing up, JR was able to meet with his biological father and step mother during high school and form a relationship that would last in the years to come. JR was a protector and everyone's best friend. However, he was a very independent person from early childhood to adult. He enjoyed being with family and creating memories and will be missed and loved by many family members and friends. JR is survived by his beautiful 4 year old daughter, Lyric Louise Roberts, of Hamilton, IL; mother and father, Crystal and Richard Roberts of Monmouth, IL; biological father and step mother, James and Melissa Lewis of Florida; one brother, Richard Eugene Roberts II, of Gladstone, IL; one grandma, Jean Gittings, of Gladstone, IL; three aunts, Katherine (Kevin) Curry of West Point, IL, Marsha, of Hamilton, Beth (Mark) Rupe and children, Benjamin and Sarah, of Bloomington, IL ; one uncle, Russell (Stacey) Hartmann, of Carthage, IL; one niece, Ashlin Roberts; several cousins, Terry (Brad) Schilser and son Jordan, of Monmouth, Jody (Tom) Turner and children, Cheyenne, Sierra, Kenney and Thomas III, of Peoria, IL, Jeremiah Kiser of Keokuk, Amanda Kiser of Texas, Bryan (Melissa) Hartmann of Carthage, IL, Byron Ford of Wyoming, and Christopher Ford from Arkansas. All of JR's family and friends will be at a loss and will miss him terribly. He will always be loved. JR is preceded in death by 2 great grandmas; Kathleen Gosnell and Dorthy Derry, 1 grandma; Charlotte Hartmann, 3 grandpas; Eugene Hartmann, Richard Elmer Roberts, and Larry Gittings, 1 uncle; Mike Roberts, 1 aunt; Sheryl Jean Roberts, 1 cousin; T.J. Turner. There is a celebration of JR's life at the Crossing Church in Keokuk on Saturday, May 25th from 2-4 pm. All family and friends are welcome to attend. Also, there will be a private family pot luck at the park in Nauvoo, IL. on Saturday, May 18th at 2 pm. Please bring a dish to share. There is also a potluck dinner at Hamilton park after the services at the Crossing on May 25th. There will be a balloon release in memory of JR in Hamilton park. Tributes and condolences may be entered at dejongsfuneralhomes.com.