Robert J. Babel Sr.

TRAVERSE CITY — Robert J. Babel Sr., 92, of Traverse City and Lake Worth, Fla., passed away suddenly at home in Lake Worth, Fla.

Born in Traverse City on March 31, 1914, he was the son of Bertha (Maxbauer) and Joseph Babel. On Nov. 19, 1936, at St. Francis Catholic Church in Traverse City, he married Margaret (Peg) McKillen. They celebrated 67 years of marriage together prior to Peg's death in 2004.

Bob graduated in 1932 from St. Francis High School and received a band scholarship to Michigan State College (University).

After his marriage to Peg, Bob owned and operated a grocery store in Acme at the corner of M 72 and US 31. In 1942, he opened Union Market on the corner of Union and 14th Streets. In 1952, he purchased Grand Traverse Distributing Company and worked there until his retirement.

Bob's joy in life was his family, friends and his faith. He attended Mass daily and was often seen riding his bike to church or to visit friends. He loved the outdoors and especially warm weather!

A lifetime member of St. Francis Catholic Church in Traverse City, he was also a member of the Knights of Columbus and a 60 year member of the Elks. He will be greatly missed by his community of friends in Lake Worth, where he was an active participant at Sacred Heart Catholic Church for over 35 years.

Bob is survived by his son, Robert J. (Cindee) Babel Jr. of Portage; his daughter, Patricia (Terry) Riley and his sister, Kathryn (Arnie) Bohn, all of Traverse City; by his grandchildren, Michael (Janet) Maddock of Whitefish, Mont., Patricia (Larry) Page of Glen Ellyn, Ill., Jeanne (David) Schueler of Coral Springs, Fla., Shelley (William) Grombala of Traverse City, Michael Riley of Venice, Calif., Bryan (Sheryl) Babel of Vicksburg, Lisa (David) Sowers of Berrien Springs, Kristina Babel of Indianapolis, Ind., and Michael and Robert Babel III, both of Portage. Also surviving are 16 great-grandchildren.

In addition to his wife, Margaret, Bob was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Russell; and a daughter, Shirley K. Maddock.

Visitation will take place at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home on Friday from 5 until 8 p.m. The rosary will be prayed at 7 p.m. Friday evening at the funeral home. The funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Francis Catholic Church, with the Rev. Father Ken Stachnik presiding. Burial will be in Oakwood Catholic Diocesan Cemetery.

The family asks that Bob be remembered through memorial contributions to St. Francis Catholic Church or to the Carmelite Monastery.

The family is being served by The Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home; www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com.

This obituary was originally published in the Record-Eagle.