Services for Robert J. (The Jefferson Candy Man) Bradley, 86, of Jefferson will be 11:00 am Wednesday at the First Baptist Church in Jefferson. Visitation will be from 2:00 to 9:00 pm Tuesday at Slininger-Rossow Funeral Home in Jefferson. Family visitation will begin Wednesday at 9:00 am until the time of the service at the First Baptist Church in Jefferson. Burial will be in the Jefferson Cemetery.
Robert is survived by his three children: Marcia Tilley of Mesa, AZ; Renea May of Columbia, MO; and Ricky Bradley of Altoona, IA; and a sister Margaret Jordan of Jefferson.
Robert James Bradley was born November 21, 1921 at Scranton, Iowa, the son of George Edward Bradley and Minnie Evadell Bishop Bradley. Robert attended rural school south of Scranton, then finished the rest of his schooling in Jefferson.
On May 18, 1942, Robert entered the United States Army. He served his country during World War II, and was honorably discharged on November 24, 1945.
Robert lived in Jefferson for most of his life, except when he worked for REC trimming trees and doing electrical work in several states. He worked for Durlam Electric of Jefferson for 30 years, and retired in 1984. He helped build the middle school gymnasium and worked for Cudahy Paint Store.
Robert was the third generation of his family to weave rugs. He was known as Jefferson’s Candy Man, always sharing candy with everyone he met.
Robert was a member of First Baptist Church in Jefferson. He was a 50-year member of the American Legion Floyd Brown Post # 11, and was a member of the V. F. W.
Robert Bradley died August 7, 2008 at the VA Medical Center in Des Moines. He was 86 years of age. Preceding him in death were his parents; a sister, Fern Dahlke; and brothers, Cecil Bradley and David Bradley.
Surviving are three children: Marcia Tilley of Mesa, AZ; Renea May of Columbia, MO; and Ricky Bradley of Altoona, IA; 3 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; and a sister Margaret Jordan of Jefferson.
