Robert Charles Fortune Sr.'s Obituary
Reed City - Robert C. Fortune, Sr. 76, of Reed City, passed away Sunday, February 10, 2019, peacefully at home with his wife and children by his side.
He was born May 31, 1942, in Lawrence, Mi, the son of Clyde and Martha (Davis) Fortune, and attended Niles High School. In 1962, he married Stella L. Draper.
Robert worked as a machinist for Buchanan Steel for 27 years, and then for Electric Voice in Buchanan for 13 years. He and Stella then moved to Missouri, where Robert worked in the athletic department of Three Rivers Community College in Poplar Bluff. He was also a member of Lodge #369 F. & A.M. in Doniphen.
In 2006 he retired, and the couple moved to Hersey until settling in Reed City 2 years ago. Robert was an avid Notre Dame Football fan. He loved history and genealogy, and in his younger years enjoyed building his own cars and drag racing them.
Surviving are his wife Stella; their children Robert, Jr. (Tracy) of Niles, Fern (Carl) Backus of Big Rapids, Brian of Evart, and Lester (Donna) of Dowagiac; 15 grandchildren, Jason, Kristen, Taylor, Collin, Shelby, Sara, Kellie, Kate, Jason, Steven, Crystal, Ashley, Nicholas, Jake, and Emily; 15 great-grandchildren; 1 sister Charlene Heffington, 2 brothers, Clyde, Jr., and Bill Gray; and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services, including a Masonic memorial service, will be 1:00 p.m., Thursday, February 14, 2019, at the Mohnke Funeral Home in Big Rapids. Spring burial will be in the Park Hill Cemetery near Paris. Robert's family will greet friends beginning at 12:00 p.m. on Thursday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in his name may be made for the St. Jude's Childrens Hospital, with envelopes available at the funeral home.
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