Robert J. Staab, Hays, Kansas, age 89, died Wednesday, January 6, 2016, at Hays Medical Center Hays, Kansas.

He was born January 17, 1926, at Catharine, Kansas, to Albert J. and Ida (Wiesner) Staab. He married Alice Marie (Windholz) on September 11, 1946 at Victoria, Kansas.

He was a driver and delivered freight for the Graves Truck Lines for over 25 years out of the Hays Office. He was a lifetime resident of Ellis County and a member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church, St. Joseph Knights of Columbus and V.F.W. Post No. 9076 all of Hays.

He was a veteran of the U. S. Navy and served in the battle of Iwo Jima where he witnessed the famous raising of the flag on Mt. Suribachi. He was also involved in the liberation of Okinawa and observed the Japanese surrender in Tokyo Bay from aboard his ship. Bob was a avid sports fan and enjoyed fishing, golfing and baseball.

Survivors include his wife, Alice Staab, of the home; six sons, Robert Dean Staab and wife, Dorothy, Plainville, KS; William Staab and wife, Wendy, Hays, KS; Kenneth Staab and wife, Connie, Hays, KS; John Staab and wife, Debby, Orlando, FL; David Staab, Austin, TX; Randy Staab and wife, Paula, Hays, KS; one daughter, Sandy Staab, Garden City, KS; four brothers, Paul Staab, Firestone, CO; Frank Staab and wife, Irma Denver, CO; Norman Staab and wife, Barbara, Tucson, AZ; Joe Staab, Deertrail, CO; one sister-in-law, Catherine Staab, Brighton, CO; 16 grandchildren; 26 great grandchildren; three great-great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Terry Staab; three brothers, Albert W. Staab; Fred “Buddy” Staab; Richard Staab; two sisters, Rita Billinger and Eileen Bollig; one granddaughter, Jessica Staab; one great grandchild, Rachel Alexander; and one great-great grandson, Kayden Weilert.

Service are at 2:00 P.M. Saturday, January 9, 2016, at St. Joseph Catholic Church Hays, Kansas.

Burial in St. Joseph Cemetery Hays, Kansas with military honors by the Hays V.F.W. Post No. 9076.

A vigil service is at 7:00 P.M. Friday, followed by a Knights of Columbus rosary at 7:30 P.M. Friday, both at Cline’s Mortuary of Hays, 1919 East 22nd Street, Hays, Kansas 67601.

Visitation is from 5:00 to 9:00 P.M. Friday, and from 11:00 to 1:45 P.M. Saturday, all at Cline’s Mortuary of Hays.

Memorials to St. Joseph Catholic Church or Catholic Charities. Condolences can be sent via email to [email protected].