Robert Donlon

Robert Donlon, age 88, of Decorah, Iowa, died on Friday, April 20, 2007, at the Barthell Eastern Star Home in Decorah, Iowa, following a lingering illness. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, April 24, 2007, at St. Benedict's Catholic Church in Decorah, Iowa, with Rev. Gary Krapfl officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Friends may call from 3:00-7:00 p.m. on Monday and until 10:30 a.m. Tuesday morning at the Schluter - Balik Funeral Home in Decorah, Iowa. There will be a Knights of Columbus Rosary at 5:00 p.m. and a VFW Memorial Service at 6:00 p.m. at the funeral home on Monday evening. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be given to the Hospice of Winneshiek County, the Barthell Eastern Star Home or St. Benedict's Catholic Church. Robert Wellman Donlon was born on August 20, 1918, the son of Dr. Thomas and Mary (Boland) Donlon in Chicago, Illinois. When he was two years old, his father was killed in an accident, so his mother and two brothers moved to Elkader, Iowa, his mother’s hometown. Bob graduated from Elkader High School in 1936. He was stationed in Alaska in the Air Force for four years. Bob returned to Decorah and worked alongside his brothers at Donlon Drug for over forty years. Bob enjoyed investing money, visiting his banking friends at Bank of the West and going to the Bakery to have coffee. Bob was a member of St. Benedict’s Catholic Church, the Knight of Columbus, Helof Holm VFW Chapter #1977 and was a proud member of the Republican National Committee. Bob’s survivors include his daughter: Jean (Edward) Wagner, Appleton, WI. One son: Jack (Shelly) Donlon, Stoughton, WI. Seven grandchildren: Sara (Zach) Imler, Benjamin Wagner, Lukas Wagner, Jessica (Tim) Hovey, Mitchell Donlon, Tyler Donlon and Mikayla Donlon. One great granddaughter: Lily Hovey. One sister-in-law: Nell Donlon, Decorah, IA. Bob was preceded in death by his parents: Dr. Thomas and Mary Donlon; his wife: Kay Donlon on Jan. 10, 2005; one great grandson: Rhett Hovey on June 28, 2005; two brothers: Thomas (Helen) Donlon and Joseph Donlon.