Robert Virgil Ankrum

Robert Virgil Ankrum, 87, died at 6:45 a.m. Friday, October 5, 2007 at his residence. Robert was born September 29, 1920, in Hopewell, Ohio, a son of the late Virgil F. and Gladys M. Boyer Ankrum and married his beloved Jean Carter in 1957 in Witchita, Kansas, on the baseball field at home plate. Robert "Bob" played baseball for the Indians minor league team from 1940-1951. He was the manager of the Portsmouth, VA, Merrimac team in 1953. He entered the Army on October 7, 1942 and was a Sgt. in the 442nd Army Medic Collecting Company and was discharged on December 24, 1945. He served in BPS Northern France, Rhineland and Central Europe TR AM earning 3 Bronze Stars. He started one of the first self-serve laundromats in Zanesville in 1957. He was inducted into the Old Timers Hall of Fame and was a former member of the Zanesville Country Club and was an avid golfer. He also loved following all the college sports. He was also a member of Trinity United Presbyterian Church. He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Jean of the home; a son, Trent (Cheryl) Ankrum of Zanesville; grandchildren, Andrew and Alaina Ankrum of Zanesville; special neighbors, Loren (Marianne) Bates, Dick (Irene) Dillon, Dan (Shirley) Knox, Jack Dillon and Steve Dillon, Ryan Bates, Andrea, Kolby and Steven Knox, Brad, Matt, Trent, Katie and Jordan Dillon and special friends, Hal Naragon, Bill Cope and Gene Menhorn. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Robert Carter Ankrum, who died May 9, 1969; two brothers, Cletus and La Vern Ankrum and a sister, Doretha Myers. Friends may call 5-8 p.m. Sunday, October 7, 2007 at the Bolin-Dierkes Funeral Home, 1271 Blue Ave., Zanesville. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, October 8, 2007 at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Zanesville Memorial Park Cemetery. VFW George Selsam Post 1058 will hold full military rites at the cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alfred Carr Center, 1035 Beverly Avenue, Zanesville, Ohio, 43701.