Elmer L. "Duke" Ruby Jr., 93, of Steamboat Rock, Iowa, died from natural causes on Saturday, January 20, 2007, at the Eldora Nursing and Rehab Center in Eldora. No services are planned at this time.
Elmer was born February 4, 1913 in Steamboat Rock, Iowa, son of Elmer Sr. and Ima (Hoover) Ruby. He was raised in Steamboat Rock where he graduated from high school in 1931. He was a veteran of WWII serving for four years with the Coast Guard as an air craft gunner aboard the Admiral C.F. Hughes troop transport. After his military service he returned home and farmed west of Steamboat Rock. Elmer enjoyed the outdoors, hunting and fishing, and in younger years enjoyed playing softball.
Surviving are his brothers, Jim of Eldora, Gene of Marshalltown, Dean of Santa Monica, California, and Charles of Steamboat Rock. Preceding him in death were his parents and sister, Eleanor Richeson.