Robert Lowe Ingersoll, 1919-2003, Independence

Robert Lowe Ingersoll, 84, of Independence, died Saturday, Dec. 13, 2003, at Independence Regional Hospital.

He was born Feb. 11, 1919, at his grandparents' home in Chicago, a son of Weber and Nell Ingersoll. On April 1, 1936, in Kansas City, he was married to Dorothy Jacobs, who died Nov. 12, 1994.

Mr. Ingersoll grew up in Oklahoma and later lived on Longview Farms in Lee's Summit. He attended Longview school for a short time. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1942 and was a sergeant of the guard on the USS Mount Vernon in the Atlantic and Pacific until 1945. After the war, he learned the trade of carpet installation in Kansas City. In 1956, he began his 35-year business Ingersoll Brothers Installation Co. in and around Stover. He lived on a large farm with his wife. During that time, he served as a Democratic committeeman for Morgan County for more than 10 years. He was a life member and quartermaster of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5178 in Gravois Mills. When he moved to Independence, he was a life member of VFW Post 1000.

Surviving are a daughter, Sallie Kirksey Wahrenbrock, of Independence; his companion, Ruby Pennington, of Independence; a brother, Richard Ingersoll, of Kansas City; seven grandchildren; two stepgrandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and four great-great grandchildren.

He was also predeceased by a brother, William Ingersoll.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Speaks Suburban Chapel in Kansas City. Burial will be in Mound Grove Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. until time of service Wednesday. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.speakschapel.com.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions to the National VFW or to the American Lung Association.