Robert "Bob" L Halferty

Robert “Bob” Leroy Halferty, 97, of Newton died on Tuesday, September 8, 2026.  The family will greet friends from 10-11 a.m., and during a lunch from 11–12 p.m., Monday, September 14, 2026, at the Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory.  A graveside service will follow the lunch at Newton Union Cemetery.  Memorials to the Newton Salvation Army or Doctors Without Borders may be left at the funeral home.

Bob, the son of Roy and Alice (Bond) Halferty, was born on July 2, 1929, in Keokuk County, Iowa. In 1947, he moved to Newton. On November 23, 1949, Bob was married to the love of his life, Melba Davis in Newton.  Bob worked at the Maytag Company for 38 years, retiring in 1986.  In 1988, Bob received his GED from DMACC.  Growing up a farm kid, Bob always had a love for the land and after retirement, Bob and Melba bought the Cedar Lane Farm in Lineville that they owned and enjoyed for 10 years.  They also liked wintering a few weeks each winter in warmer weather.

Bob was a member of the UAW Local 997.  He was the true patriarch of the family and always was there to lend a hand, show kindness and patience, and provide leadership.  He loved his family and always supported their activities. Bob was a skilled handyman and woodworker.  In free time he liked traveling and bird watching.  He was also a voracious reader and liked to keep up with current events and politics. 

Bob is survived by his children, Jeannie Mathis of Lakeland, Florida, Jim Halferty of Newton, Alan (Kendra) Halferty of Summerfield, Florida, Tim (Sharon) Halferty of Newton, Dan (Kim) Halferty of Colo, and John (Kendra) Halferty of Colfax; 13 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; 8 great-great-grandchildren; his sister, Maxine (Jim) Kubath of Burlington, Wisconsin; and many nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Melba in 2008; grandson, Jason Gardner; and siblings, Joan Lanphier, Kathleen Freeman, Joe Halferty, and Rex Halferty.

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