Robert James Meinecke

ROBERT JAMES MEINECKE age 82, of Millington, died Friday, February 20, 2009 at his home, following a courageous battle with leukemia. Funeral services will be 1PM Monday, February 23, 2009 at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 4941 W. Center St., Millington. Pastor James Brunner will officiate. Burial will take place at Millington Twp. Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday from 11AM until 9PM at Hudson Funeral Service, Otisville and at the church, on Monday, noon until time of services. In lieu of flowers, memorial funds have been established in his name for the Christian Activity Center at St. Paul Lutheran Church and School and at Heartland Hospice in Bad Axe. "Bob" was born in Flint, MI on September 30, 1926 to the late Henry and Amelia (Arnst) Meinecke. Bob attended grade and high school in the Vassar Public Schools. On Nov. 9, 1944 he enlisted in the U. S. Navy stationed in Illinois and was on active duty during WWII as a Seaman First Class aboard the USS Dortch. He served an extensive tour in Tokyo Bay and Okinawa in 1945, where he was awarded the Asiatic-Pacific Theater War Ribbon with one battle star, the American Theater Medal, the WWII Victory Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. He was discharged Mar. 23, 1946. Bob was a faithful and active member of St. Paul Lutheran Church and school in Millington, often volunteering his time and service during annual church fundraising and school sporting events. He was a founding member of the Vassar Golf and Country Club, where he served as director of the club for 18 years. Bob was blessed with good health and was able to be part of the men's league right up to his death. He also enjoyed bowling and was part of the men's league at Vassar's Hilltop Recreation for more than 50 yrs. Most recently, Bob and Lou bowled together with friends at Bridgeport's Candlelite Bowling Center. He was an active member of Millington Lions Club for many years - making sure all of his grandchildren had a Lions Club chocolate Easter bunny every year – a cherished memory that will live in their hearts forever. Recently, Bob was honored by the Millington Masonic Lodge #470 for his community service. Bob enjoyed hunting and was a great outdoorsman, and spent a lot of time with family and friends at the family's cabin in Mio. He was a well-known, practical joker who lived life like it was April Fools Day every day. Bob loved to gamble and enjoyed taking group trips to the casino and when he couldn't make the trip to the casino – he always found a way to make it to McKatm's Pub to play Keno. He owned and managed Bob's Truck Body Repair in Millington. On Dec. 20, 1947 he married Luella Mae Rowley in Vassar, MI. Bob and "Lou" recently celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary. He is survived by his wife, Luella; six children: Velva Cobanovich, Vivian (John) Sherman, (daughter-in-law) Valerie Meinecke, Luann (Sam) Licavoli, James (Tracy) Meinecke and Barbara (Gerry) Smith, 19 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. 3 sisters: Gerry Sukarukoff, Henrietta Vargo, and Mildred Coon, 3 brothers: Harold Meinecke, John "Jack" Meinecke and Henry "Hank" Meinecke, several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, son Corky, and 2 sisters, Amelia and Dorothy.