Robert S. Toland

Robert Sherman “Bob” Toland, age 83, of Washington, Iowa, died Thursday, April 4, 2013 at his residence. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, April 8, 2013 at the United Methodist Church with Rev. Jim Stiles officiating. The family will receive friends from Noon until 2:00 p.m. Monday at the United Methodist Church. Interment will take place at Osceola Cemetery at a later date. Memorials have been established for the Children’s Backpack Program or the United Methodist Church. Online condolences may be sent for Bob’s family through the web at www.jonesfh.com Bob was born February 3, 1930 in Independence, Missouri the son of Sherman Boyd and Ethel Claralouise (Boyles) Toland. He was a former resident of Mount Ayr, Iowa for 34 years and Osceola, Iowa for 20 years. He had been a resident of Washington, Iowa for the last 24 years. He attended Iowa State College. On April 12, 1951, Bob was united in marriage to Ida Beth Richardson at the Methodist Church in Mount Ayr, Iowa. Bob worked as the district manager for Iowa Southern Utilities and Alliant Energy for 45 years, until his retirement in 1994. He was a member of the United Methodist Church in Washington. He was previously a member of the Mount Ayr Methodist Church, where he served as a Lay Leader. He had been a member of the Mount Ayr Masonic Lodge, and the Mount Ayr Lions Club, where he served as president. He was a chairman on both the Ringgold County and Clarke County Development Corporations. He served as a chairman on the “Today” Committee in Osceola, Iowa, was a former Boy Scout Leader in Mount Ayr, Iowa, and was a 28-year member of Rotary International, serving as past president in both Osceola and Washington. He was honored as Man of the Year on seven separate occasions: by the Jaycees of Mount Ayr, the Chamber of Commerce of Osceola, the Development Corporation of Osceola, the Rotary Club of Osceola, the Optimist Club of Washington, the Rotary Club of Washington, and the Chamber of Commerce of Washington. Bob lived to care for his wife, Beth. He also loved planting flowers around Washington; he enjoyed the colors and watching things grow. Bob is survived by his wife, Beth Toland of Washington, Iowa; son Mark S. Toland and wife Cindy of Des Moines, Iowa; son Neil K. Toland and wife Mary Ann of Wapello, Iowa; six grandchildren: Jessica Toland of Des Moines, Iowa; Jeremy Toland and wife Britain of Ankeny, Iowa; Josh Toland and wife Megan of Rural Mediapolis, Iowa; Ben Toland of North Liberty, Iowa; Elizabeth Toland of Cedar Falls, Iowa; and Michelle O’Brien of West Des Moines, Iowa; three great-grandchildren: Jace, Harper, and Megan Toland; two sisters: Pauline Richardson and husband Bob of Rural Lamoni, Iowa and Doris Romjue and husband Bruce of Indian Wells, California; nephew Danny Richardson of Lamoni, Iowa; and friend Lana Weeks of Carmel, California. He was preceded in death by his parents, and one son: Lynn K. Toland.

Robert S. Toland

February 3, 1930 - April 4, 2013