Robert & Beverly Boyle

Robert Myron Boyle, 90 and Beverly Helen Dannatt Boyle, 90, of Knoxville, TN, previously of Princeton, Iowa, passed away peacefully March 25, 2025 and December 4, 2025 respectively.

A memorial service for Robert and Beverly Boyle will be held at the McCausland United Methodist Church on May 23, 2026 at 11:00 a.m.  Family and friends are invited to come prior to the service at 10:00 a.m. for visitation. A luncheon will be provided after the services.

Robert Boyle was born on May 18, 1934, in West Liberty, IA, to Myron and Dora (Bartenhaqen) Boyle. He grew up on the family farm near McCausland, IA. He graduated from Dewitt High School in 1952. His first job away from the farm was with Ray Schneckloth as a heavy equipment operator. He served in the Army as a helicopter mechanic. During his time in the service, he married the love of his life Beverly Dannatt on June 30, 1957. He returned home after serving his country to farm in Iowa, and raised their two children. During this time, he worked for Mohr Brothers Implement and Princeton Implement. The family moved to Knoxville, TN, in 1981 to operate the family business that he and Beverly started, Highway Safety of Tennessee Inc. In his retirement years, he enjoyed fishing, landscaping, woodworking, watching his grandsons, and reading as many as five books a week.

Beverly Boyle was born August 13, 1935, in Clinton, IA, to Eugene and Sarah (Cousins) Dannatt. She grew up on the family farm near Princeton, IA, where she was active in 4H and the Presbyterian Church. She graduated from Clinton High School in 1952 and Mount St. Clare College with an associate’s degree in education in 1954. Her first teaching position was as a Kindergarten teacher at LeClaire Elementary School. During her time teaching she met the love of her life, Robert Boyle, and was married June 30, 1957. After Robert finished his enlistment in the Army, they returned to the family farm and raised their children Clifford and Shari. While working on the farm she was active in the Princeton Presbyterian Church and McCausland UMC, where she taught bible studies and sang in the choir. The family moved to Knoxville, Tn in 1981 to operate the family business that Robert and Beverly started, Highway Safety of Tennessee Inc. Upon retirement she worked for Community Chest and JoAnn Etc. Beverly and Robert also spent a lot of their retirement years contributing their time and resources to ministries in the Appalachian area. She was a prayer warrior and member of Powell UMC for many years, serving as Sunday School teacher, librarian, and in the UMW. She was a mentor to many, teaching sewing, crafting, ceramics, painting, knitting and crocheting, sharing her faith as she did so.

The couple is survived by their children, Clifford (Tami) Boyle and Shari Hitson; grandson, Jacob (Connie) Boyle; and great-grandsons, Andrew, Oliver, Christian, and Josh. They are also survived by Robert’s siblings, Richard Boyle and Dolores (Dale) Bergert; Beverly’s sister, Dorla Schroder; sister-in-law, Sharon Boyle; special niece, Michelle Boyle; nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Robert and Beverly were preceded in death by their parents; their son-in-law, Marvin Hitson; Robert’s siblings, Betty Boyle and Merrill Boyle; Beverly’s sister, Patricia Braudt; sisters-in-law, Sheryl Boyle and Marlene Boyle; brothers-in-law, Norman Schroder and Jim Braudt; nephew, Steve Braudt; and special cousin, Fred Malone.

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