12/24/2014
Services for Bob Miller McCorkle, 81, will be Monday, December 29, 2014, at 10:00 a.m. at the Columbia United Methodist Church with burial following at the Columbia Cemetery.
The family will receive friends on Sunday at the Columbia Community Center from 2:00 until 6:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Columbia United Methodist Church or to the Columbia Community Center / Fire Department.
Robert Miller McCorkle was born August 25, 1933, in Chariton, Iowa to N.L. and Venetta (Miller) McCorkle. He grew up in Columbia and graduated from Knoxville High School in 1951. Growing up and after graduation, he helped his father, N.L. McCorkle, at the McCorkle Hardware Store in Columbia that N.L. had taken over in 1919.
After his father’s death in 1963; Bob and his brother, Corky continued to grow the business, offering many products and services. McCorkle Hardware is known far and wide to provide items not found anywhere else. In 1987 the new store was built in its current location.
After Corky retired, Bob, his family, and employees continued to operate the hardware. Although Bob turned over management to his daughter, Maurine, he still enjoyed being involved. Bob always appreciated the great friendships he made with his employees and customers.
Bob was married to Estelene Davis on the 17th of June in 1956 at the Columbia United Methodist Church. They were blessed with three children: Maurine, Karen, and Kent. It would be fair to say that Bob loved to work. He enjoyed feeding pigs and always appreciated a good set of hogs.
The hardware was always open if someone had an emergency: nights, weekends, Sundays, and holidays. Bob began selling Pioneer Seed in 1964 and won several awards in sales of seed.
2014 marked the 50th Anniversary of selling Pioneer Seed and being recognized as the oldest dealership in Iowa. His son Kent continues the tradition.
Bob enjoyed driving through the country, assessing the condition of crops, and seeing the progress his customers were making. He also enjoyed working with numbers and many people have heard Bob ask, “If a guy could…” Bob was always interested in new ideas and how to do them better and more efficiently. His employees (and family) will remember him saying, “Are you looking for a job?” or “Are you out of a job?”
He enjoyed watching: Market to Market, Wall Street Week, and 60 Minutes. Estelene and Bob enjoyed going out for dinner with their friends. On his birthday he was able to throw the opening pitch for the I Cubs a few years ago.
Although he enjoyed the weather and his friends while wintering in Texas, it would be hard to say he enjoyed being away from home and the store. Thankfully for him, cell phones kept him in touch with everyone back at work.
Bob passed away on December 24, 2014, at the Knoxville Area Community Hospital at the age of 81 years.
Preceding him in death were his parents: N.L. and Venetta; and his brother, Charles.
He is survived by his wife Estelene McCorkle; children: Maurine McCorkle, Karen (Steve) Van Sant, and Kent (Malane) McCorkle; 7 grandchildren: Eric (Amber) Hall, Lisa (Mike) Willis, Alex Hall, Matt Van Sant, Sarah (Josh) Isley, Amy (Tom) Herwehe, and Alivia McCorkle; and 5 great-grandchildren: Chloe Hall, Garret Hall, Connor Willis, Camryn Willis, and Olen Van Sant. Also, surviving are siblings: Barbara Woollums, Jean Stewart, and James (Corky) McCorkle; along with many relatives and friends.