BELLA VISTA — Robert Francis O’Malley,

70, died April 3 at Circle of Life Hospice in Bentonville. He was born February 14, 1954, in La Crosse, Wis., son of Joseph Reginald and Charlotte (Regan) O’Malley.

Originally from Waterloo, Iowa, Robert (Bob) graduated from Columbus High School in 1972. He enlisted in the Marine Corps after graduation and was honorably discharged in 1978, later serving in the Army Reserves. Bob attended Hawkeye Institute of Technology receiving his LPN in 1986 and RN in 1990.

He married Sarah Lynn Messerly June 16, 1990. The couple resided in Grundy Center, Iowa where they opened a coffeehouse, O’Malley’s Java Joint. They moved to Bella Vista, Ark. in 2003.

Bob worked as a nurse at the Iowa Veterans’ Home in Marshalltown, Iowa as well as hospitals in Iowa, Arkansas, and Missouri. He was also employed as a travel nurse in California, South Carolina and on Navajo and Hopi reservations in Arizona and New Mexico.

Bob had many interests and hobbies that included raising chickens, breeding English Bulldogs, jewelry making, painting, and pottery.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Joseph; brother-in-law, Dennis Jans; and sister-in-law, Cindy O’Malley.

He is survived by his wife; son, Chad of Bentonville; daughter, Jennifer (Shawn) Dixon of Pea Ridge; sister, Susan Jans of Mesa, Ariz.; three brothers, Thomas (Shellie) of Panama City Beach, Fla., David (Liz) of Waterloo, Iowa, and Tony of Waterloo, Iowa; Seven grandchildren; and Seven great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday April 18, 2024, at Village Bible Church, Bella Vista.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Circle of Life Hospice – Legacy Village.

Online condolences may be made at www.funeralmation.com.