TALLULAH — Robert F. Elrod, 78, passed away peacefully on Oct. 13, 2008, at River Region Medical Center. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert Lewis Elrod and Ida Frances Elrod; a younger brother, Reese Elrod; and infant daughter, Mary Lou Elrod.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Harriette T. Elrod; two brothers, Herbert Elrod and Frank Elrod, both of Piedmont, S.C.; two daughters, Ida Sue Elrod and Ann Mihalik and her husband, Joe, of Anderson, S.C.; a son, Bob Elrod and his wife, Marya, of Franklin, Tenn.; seven grandchildren, Leigh, Michael, Elizabeth, Joshua, Jordyn, Robert and Rachel; and two great-grandchildren, Landon and Zack.

Robert graduated from Clemson University. He was a decorated Korean War veteran with three Purple Hearts (two oak leaf clusters), a Silver Star, a Meritorious Service Medal and a Bronze Star. He retired as a lieutenant colonel from the 412th Engineering Headquarters Reserves in Vicksburg.

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. today at First United Methodist Church in Tallulah. Visitation will be today from 2 until the hour of the service.

Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 88, Tallulah, LA 71282.