George Anthony Roberts

George Anthony Roberts, age 93 of Troy, formerly of Silex, passed away Saturday April 4, 2015 at his residence. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday at the St. Alphonsus Catholic Church with Fr. Thomas Wissler officiating. Burial will be in the St. Alphonsus Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Millwood. George was born July 14, 1921, north of Millwood on the Joseph and Caroline Roberts farm where he was raised, the son of Joseph William, Sr. and Caroline Ann Bauer Roberts. On April 13, 1944 in Millwood, George married Kathleen Shocklee. She survives. Also surviving are daughters Barbara Duff (Clayton) of Hawk Point, Marilyn Wheaton (Paul Duffy) of Detroit, MI, Gloria Moody (Buck) of California, Mary K. Roberts of Trenton, MI; grandchildren Eric Duff (Tammy) and Greg Duff (Elaine); great grandchildren Branden Duff and Cierra Duff; brothers Ivo Roberts of Florissant, Tom Roberts of Silex, Dan Roberts of Silex; sisters Sister Mary Jerome Roberts of Alton, IL., Mary (Roberts) Shocklee of Silex. Those preceding George in death were son George (Robbie) Roberts Jr.; four sisters and four brothers. He moved to Silex with his family in 1946. George served his country during World War II where he was a pilot in the Navy and received his wings in 1943. He was based on the U.S.S. Essex in the Pacific and he and his fellow pilots provided cover for the U. S. S. Missouri during the peace treaty meeting in Tokyo Bay. George worked at the Enterprise Store in Silex for ten years. He then became a distributor for Standard Oil in north west Lincoln County for twenty six years. He spent many hours managing his son’s Khoury League baseball team and supporting his daughters in their Khoury League softball careers. George was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan, golfed whenever the weather cooperated, provided many meals with the main course of quail or pheasant, danced away many a night and afternoon, attended U.S.S. Essex reunions and had the privilege of going on a Central Missouri Honor Flight. George was a member of the St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, a member of Millwood Knights of Columbus Counsel #2009 and a member of the St. Isadore 4th degree Knights of Columbus. George loved Kathleen, being a father, and being a grand and great grandfather. Serving as pallbearers are Eric Duff, Tammy Duff, Greg Duff, Elaine Duff, Branden Duff and Cierra Duff. Memorials may be made to Mercy Hospice, St. Alphonsus School or Central Missouri Honor Flight.