IVAN PUNKY ROBERTS

Mr. Ivan Punky Roberts, 76, of Ewing, Mo died March 11, 2018, at his home surrounded by his family.

Punky was born June 2, 1941 in Maywood, Mo to John E. and Ethel Lankford Roberts. He talked often of being born a seventh son to a seventh son of an unbroken line. He married Trudy D. Miller in Durham, Mo on February 4, 1967, she survives.

Punky served in the US Navy from 1960 to 1962. He was proud to have served his country along with eight of his brothers.

Punky and Trudy established Roberts Garage and Towing in 1970, built from the ground up and stayed active in the business until his retirement. He worked during the day at Gardner Denver and worked evenings in his shop until he was able to go full time with his towing business. He earned the trust and respect of the community with his hard work and determination. Everyone knew that they could call Punky for help regardless of the time of night or weather conditions. There was not a person on this earth that he would not lend a helping hand to.

Although he worked day and night, six days a week, he was sure to set Sunday’s aside to spend time with his family. He was always building something for his children from go-carts, a train and even converted a wrecked Sunbeam Bread Truck into a camper to take his kids and all of the neighbor kids sled riding. He loved his grandchildren and continued to run go-carts with them in many parades throughout the years.

In most recent years, he and Trudy would take their 1957 Chevy Bel Air on Sunday cruises and to several car shows throughout the area.

Out of all of his accomplishments, he was most proud of his family. He loved them all unconditionally and with his whole heart.

Punky is survived by his three children, Angela Roberts Dodds of Durham, Troy Roberts (Christel) of Ewing, Shelley Roberts (Myron Hopson) of Ewing. Eight Grandchildren, Jerrod Dodds (Brittany) of Ewing, Mo, Jacob Dodds of Ewing, Johnnie and Danny Goings of Maryville, Mo. Aiden, Oliver, Isaac and Maggie Roberts of Ewing. One great granddaughter, Brylee Dodds of Ewing, she could make him smile on his worst day. Two brothers, Steve Roberts (Bonnie) of Cape Girardeau, Mo, Stanley Roberts (Patti) of Arroyo Grande, CA and Shirley Nelson of Maywood Mo. Also survived by several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by seven brothers - Jim, Melvin, Larry, Harold, Lyle, Brad and Bob, two sisters , Jeanette (Nettie) Warning and Karen Lampe, his parents, John and Ethel Roberts, father and mother in law , John Miller and Irene Seals and a granddaughter , Autumn Irene Dodds.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, March 15, 2018 at 11 a.m. at the First Baptist Church, Ewing, Missouri with Rev. Elmer Hagood officiating.

Pallbearers: Jerrod Dodds, Jacob Dodds, Johnnie Goings, Danny Goings, Aiden Roberts, Oliver Roberts and Isaac Roberts. Honorary Pallbearers: Harold Woods, Yvonne Stumb, Kent Speckhart, Leonard Geisendorfer, Randy Miller, John Logan and Travis Dodd.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, March 14, 2018 from 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church, Ewing, Missouri.

Burial with Military Honors will be in Durham Cemetery, Durham, Missouri.

Online condolences may be left at www.davis-fh.com

The family would like to thank Dr Ali, Amanda Cook Fleer and the entire staff at the Cancer Center of Quincy for their compassion and support over the last couple of years.
In lieu of flowers, the family wishes for memorials be made to the Wounded Warrior Project or Hospice of Northeast Missouri in Kirksville.

Here they stand brothers them all

All the sons divided they’d fall

Here await the birth of the son

The seventh, the heavenly, the chosen one.

Music: Dancing in the Sky, Amazing Grace, The Other Side & Go Rest High on that Mountain.