1931
E.
2021
E. Robert "Bob" Michael
December 23, 1931 — June 16, 2021
E. Robert “Bob” Michael, age 89 and life-long farmer of Lanark, passed away Wednesday, June 16, 2021 at Javon Bea Hospital-Riverside of Rockford. A funeral service will be held 10:00 a.m. Monday, June 21, 2021 at the First Brethren Church of Lanark with Pastor Tim Swigart officiating. Burial will be in the Lanark Cemetery. Visitation will be held 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Sunday, June 20, 2021 at the Church. A memorial fund has been established in his honor.
Robert was born December 23, 1931 near Lanark on the family farm, the son of Ernest and Lizzie (Baer) Michael. He attended Good Country School and graduated from Lanark High School with the Class of 1949. Bob always remembered the Steam Threshing Rig that his father operated for many neighbors, along with the 120 pound, 10 cent hay bales that helped support the family. High School is where Bob began to enjoy music, learning to play the clarinet and tuba.
On October 10, 1954, Bob married Sue Carol Reynolds at the Polo Presbyterian Church. They raised two children, Debra and Philip, and celebrated 66 years of marriage. When Bob asked Sue to marry, he turned a city gal into a farmer’s wife. They enjoyed farming together and specialized in conservation farming and raising hogs. He was a member of various farm organizations. In 2003, Bob and Sue were honored to be awarded the Carroll County Conservation Farm Family.
Bob was generous to others and you could always count on his word. Most important to him was family and he enjoyed getting together with the grandchildren to play games and spend time together.
Bob was an active member of the First Brethren Church of Lanark where he sang in the choir and served various boards. He also sang in the group, Brethren 4-Plus One Quartet.
Bob will be dearly missed by his wife, Sue of Lanark; his daughter, Debra (Paul) Ritchey of Ashland, Ohio; his son, Philip (Joyce) Michael of Lanark; three grandchildren, Keturah Michael, Josiah Michael and Daniel (fiancé Hannah) Ritchey; and a great granddaughter, Alyia Ritchey. He is preceded in death by both parents; two older brothers, Emerson and Oliver; a sister at the age of two, Velda Michael; and twin grandsons at birth, Jacob and Zechariah Michael.
Robert was born December 23, 1931 near Lanark on the family farm, the son of Ernest and Lizzie (Baer) Michael. He attended Good Country School and graduated from Lanark High School with the Class of 1949. Bob always remembered the Steam Threshing Rig that his father operated for many neighbors, along with the 120 pound, 10 cent hay bales that helped support the family. High School is where Bob began to enjoy music, learning to play the clarinet and tuba.
On October 10, 1954, Bob married Sue Carol Reynolds at the Polo Presbyterian Church. They raised two children, Debra and Philip, and celebrated 66 years of marriage. When Bob asked Sue to marry, he turned a city gal into a farmer’s wife. They enjoyed farming together and specialized in conservation farming and raising hogs. He was a member of various farm organizations. In 2003, Bob and Sue were honored to be awarded the Carroll County Conservation Farm Family.
Bob was generous to others and you could always count on his word. Most important to him was family and he enjoyed getting together with the grandchildren to play games and spend time together.
Bob was an active member of the First Brethren Church of Lanark where he sang in the choir and served various boards. He also sang in the group, Brethren 4-Plus One Quartet.
Bob will be dearly missed by his wife, Sue of Lanark; his daughter, Debra (Paul) Ritchey of Ashland, Ohio; his son, Philip (Joyce) Michael of Lanark; three grandchildren, Keturah Michael, Josiah Michael and Daniel (fiancé Hannah) Ritchey; and a great granddaughter, Alyia Ritchey. He is preceded in death by both parents; two older brothers, Emerson and Oliver; a sister at the age of two, Velda Michael; and twin grandsons at birth, Jacob and Zechariah Michael.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of E. Robert "Bob" Michael, please visit our flower store.
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