Robert "Bob" Neal Blanchard

Robert “Bob” Neal Blanchard, age 83, of Goose Lake, IA, passed away Wednesday, August 9, at Jackson Ridge Healthcare Center in Maquoketa, IA. Funeral service will be at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, August 15, at the Law Jones Funeral Home in Preston, IA. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. prior to the service at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Elmwood Cemetery in DeWitt, IA.

Bob was born in Chicago, IL, son of Robert and Helen (DeGraw) Blanchard. Bob was the oldest of four, and the only boy. He grew up in Chicago, and attended Chicago Schools. Bob joined the Navy at the age of 17, right out of school. He spent his four years in the Navy as a welder. After his time of service, Bob went back to Chicago and became a pipe-fitter, joining Union #597. He was a member of Union #597 for 60 years. On November 30, 1960, Bob married Carolyn Becker. After marriage, the couple moved from Chicago to the Charlotte area. Together, Bob and Carolyn raised two sons, and celebrated 42 years of marriage until Carolyn’s passing in 2003. Bob then met Janet Miller at Blanchard Dairy. They hit it off right away. Bob and Janet married on August 18, 2004. Together they celebrated 18 years of marriage.

Bob loved to spend time in his workshop. He always enjoyed doing welding repair jobs for family and friends, or making birdhouses, benches, and other gifts for Janet. Bob was a longtime Charlotte Volunteer Fireman, and substitute bus driver for Northeast Schools. In his spare time Bob liked to take little trips to Menard’s, Harbor Freight, anywhere he could look at welding gear. He took pride and joy with helping his sons and grandsons at the dairy. Bob showed his love for his family by helping out as much as he could.

Bob is survived by his wife, Janet Blanchard of Goose Lake; two sons, William (Lucela) Blanchard of Marietta, OH, and Thomas (Jessie) Blanchard of Virginia; seven grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren; and three sisters, Linda, Kathy, and Alice. Bob is preceded in death by his first wife, Carolyn; his grandson, Brady; and his parents, Robert and Helen.