Robert I. Ireland, 90 years, of Fort Madison, Iowa died at 3:05 pm Thursday, October 4, 2018 at the Fort Madison Community Hospital, Fort Madison. He was born March 21, 1928, at home in Green Bay Bottom, rural Lee County, Iowa, a son of Clem Sr. and Opal (Marsh) Ireland. On June 21, 1946, he married Marjorie Ann Madden.

Robert was a lifelong resident of the area. He was a veteran of the United States Navy, serving during World War II. He worked as a clerk in the office for the Santa Fe Railroad for 42 years. More than anything else, he loved his family.

He is survived by three sons: Michael (Donna) Ireland, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Jerry (Cheryl) Ireland, of Denmark, Iowa; and Joseph Ireland, of Fort Madison; five daughters: Patricia (James) Delaney, of Fort Madison; Beverly (Melvin) Lyttaker, of Fort Madison; Sylvia (Dwayne) Thomas, of Fort Madison; Nancy Ireland, of Fort Madison; and Kimberly (Robert) Brockman, of Fort Madison; one sister, Peggy (Jim) Burch, of Fort Madison; one son-in-law, Jerry Dillingham, of Moline, Illinois; 19 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren, one great great granddaughter, one niece and two nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, one daughter Carol Dillingham, and one brother Clem Ireland Jr.

His body has been cremated. Private family burial will be at Claypoole Cemetery at a later date. A memorial has been established, contributions may be made at the Barr Memorial Chapel.