Robert L. "Bob" Battles Sr.

Robert "Bob" Battles, age 91, peacefully went to be with the Lord at his home on Saturday, January 3, 2026, after a lengthy battle with Parkinson's disease. He was lovingly surrounded by family at his passing. A visitation is planned for Friday, January 9, 2026 from 3-5pm at Adelphi Calvary Baptist Church - 7925 SE Vandalia Road, Runnells, Iowa. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 10, 2026 at 9:30am, also at Adelphi Calvary Baptist Church. Following the service, there will be a procession with military honors, and burial at Warren-Powers Cemetery.

Bob was born on April 7, 1934, to David and Bessie (Northway) Battles near Ivy, Iowa. He attended Runnells High School, excelling in football and track, and earned All-State honors as a running back for the Bobcats in 1953. He was married to his sweetheart of nearly 70 years, Willine Randles in Fort Carson, Colorado in 1956 after volunteering for the U.S. Army. He was sent almost immediately after their wedding to Germany for a two-year assignment. He wrote his new wife a letter every day. SSG Battles led a team of communications linemen stationed near New Ulm, Germany, providing a direct line from the forward observers to the Fire Direction Control of an artillery battery of the 8th Infantry - the Golden Arrows Pathfinders. Returning stateside, he completed his military commitment with the 34th Infantry Division, the Red Bulls, from Iowa and Minnesota.

Bob started as a door to door route man at AE Dairy, eventually driving double bottom semi tractor trailers to Kansas City and retired after 38 years. He also sold real estate for 20 years, sold Knapp shoes, cleaned banks, had a rural paper route, raised lambs and calves, cut mountains of firewood, and kept a ten acre yard mowed - and, while burning the candle at both ends, managed to make nearly every school activity his four children had. After retiring from AE, he trained truck drivers at DMACC and TMC. He completed multiple RAGBRAIs, liked to watch racing at Knoxville, Tuff Man Contests live, and pay per view boxing on the big screen at Veterans Memorial Auditorium. He taught his boys to hunt and his daughters to drive, and he was a faithful member of Adelphi Church after asking Jesus into his heart as a youth.

Bob is survived by his wife, Willine (Randles) Battles; two sons, Rob (Michele) Battles and Gale (Pon) Battles; two daughters, Kim (Steve) Parlee and Gwen (Jamie) Murillo; a sister, Carmen (Perry) Crowell; seven grandchildren; and twelve greatgrandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, and a brother.

Special thanks to the VA doctors, nurses, and staff; WesleyLife; and the aides at Optimae for their loving care of Bob these past few years.

Memorials may be directed to Adelphi Calvary Baptist Church. Online Condolences are welcome at www.IlesCares.com.

The funeral service will be livestreamed. Please use this address to view the service. https://youtube.com/live/hPA3s1qrpuc?feature=share or use the link shown below (under videos).

Arrangements by Iles Grandview Park Chapel.