Irvin L. Roberts

Irvin “Moody” L. Roberts, 80, Eskridge KS, went to be with the Lord on June 10, 2017. He was born on March 14, 1937, in Vassar, Kansas, the son of Warren Roberts Jr. and Marilyn Vada Coday Roberts. Irvin was retired at the time of his death. He started work at the very young age of fourteen. Throughout his many years of working and prior to his retirement, he worked in a variety of occupations and often worked two full-time jobs during the same period of time. Irvin served in the United States Army Reserves for six years and was honorably discharged. At the time of the Topeka tornado, June 8, 1966, he worked to restore electrical power to Topeka and surrounding area as a tree trimmer for Kansas Power and Light (KPL), now Westar Energy. Irvin operated a variety of heavy construction equipment during the course of his working years. He drove dump trucks, hauling sand and gravel and worked as a machine operator for Essex Wire, Pauline, Kansas, to name a few skills. When asked what he did, he would reply, “I’m a jack of all trades and a master of none.” There was no task or job he was afraid to tackle. Irvin and his late wife, Loretta F. Traphagen, were united in marriage on August 27, 1956, and spent the first 14 years of their marriage in Scranton, Kansas. They moved to Topeka in 1970, where they lived until her death on December 12, 1989. In 1991, he redeveloped a relationship with a former teenage friend, Nancy Cord Hinck. They established residence in Eskridge, Kansas, in 1992, where they lived for 25 years, until his death. Irvin is survived by his sons, Tony Roberts, Terry Roberts (Gena), and Jeffrey Roberts; Nancy’s children, Janet Cross (Max), Eldon Hinck, Debbie Kealy, Skeeter King (Jim), Jimmy Hinck (Eva); 16 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren; siblings, Juanita Ellis (Red), Peggy Lira, Kenneth Roberts (Marilyn), Bob Roberts (Jean), William Roberts (Sherry); and his cats, Cooper and Nipper. He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Beverly Bame; siblings, Olive Moore, Dorothy Visnosky, Goldie Lind, Mildred Greene, Shirley Watts, Joe Roberts, and Junior Roberts. Irvin was cremated and graveside services will be 10 a.m. Saturday in American Cemetery, 22828 Hwy 31, Osage City KS 66523. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Topeka Cat Association or the American Heart Association, sent in care of Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home, 2801 SW Urish Road, Topeka KS 66614.

Irvin L. Roberts

March 14, 1937 - June 10, 2017