Robert “Bob” Jon Guthrie, 56, of rural Newton died Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020, at his home. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, Feb. 3, at Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory, Newton. The family will greet friends from 10 a.m. until the time of service on Monday at the funeral home. Memorials in Bob’s name may be left at the funeral home.
Bob, the son of Robert Lee and Martha (McNew) Guthrie, was born May 23, 1963, in Newton. He graduated from East High School in 1981. Sept. 20, 1991, Bob was united in marriage with Tonya Gray in South Carolina. Bob served his country in the U.S. Army in Special Forces as a Green Beret from 1981 until his retirement in 2001. While in the service, he was stationed in Okinawa for four years and in Fort Bragg, NC. After the service, he returned to Newton. From January 2004 until June 2005, Bob owned a security company and lived in Iraq. Upon returning, Bob worked as a jailer for the Jasper County Jail for 12 years, retiring in 2018. He was a member of the Vandalia Church of Christ. Bob enjoyed being outdoors; hunting, fishing, boating, and working on his house and yard. He was always busy and rarely sat down. His family affectionately refers to him as a “remote flipper and radio station changer.”
Bob is survived by his wife, Tonya Guthrie of rural Newton; sons, Ryan Knisley of West Des Moines, Adam Ruple (Sam Brown) of Newton, Caleb Guthrie of Winston-Salem, NC, Zach Guthrie of Mt. Gilead, NC, Robbie Guthrie of Adel, and Nicholas Guthrie of Ankeny; his nine grandchildren, Trenton Boddicker, Kyndrick Knisley, Harper Ruple, Paisley Wilson, Keaton Brown, Garrett Guthrie, Logan Guthrie, Annabelle Guthrie, and Trinity Baylor; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Brian Guthrie; and sister, Michelle Etter.
