Robert "Bob" Manley Ingersoll, age 95, passed away at his home in Fife Lake on Feb. 13, 2011. He was born on April 13, 1915, in Fife Lake, to the late Roy and Rose Etta (Helsel) Ingersoll.
On July 13, 1940, in Fife Lake, he married Lavona M. Walling, of Lake City.
In earlier years, Robert was in the CCC and WPA and had lived and worked in Auburn Hills. Shortly thereafter, the family moved back to Fife Lake where he lived out the remainder of his life.
Robert had been employed by Doyle Freight Lines and Parker Moter Freight located in Cadillac. Later he worked as a truck driver for the Kalkaska Road Commission, retiring after 20 years of service. After retirement, Robert was elected to the Kalkaska County Road Commission and was eventually appointed to serve on the Kalkaska County Planning and Zoning Board. He was always active in the local political scene, often circulating petitions for various candidates.
Robert was instrumental in getting the new Springfield Township Hall built. One year he was name Democrat of the Year by the Kalkaska County Democratic Party. Robert lived through the Great Depression of 1929 which led him to have a greater insight into the struggle of life - difficulties that the whole country, his neighbors, his family, and he himself experience. FDR was probably the person with the greatest influence on Robert during his lifetime.
Robert was a jack of all trades with abilities related to construction, plumbing, auto repairs, and wiring. His family often came to him for help with their own projects, and sometimes just plain good old advice.
Robert had a great interest in local history and enjoyed a variety of music including bluegrass, bluegrass gospel, country, country gospel, and big band music. He liked talking about musical instruments, tinkering with cars, and puttering in the garage. Robert had a genuine gift of gab and would often strike up conversations with total strangers. He attended the Fife Lake Baptist Church.
Robert is survived by his devoted wife of 70 years, Lavona; his loving children, Bob (Dana) Ingersoll, of Fife Lake, Keith (Sharon) Ingersoll, of Fife Lake, Cheryl Ingersoll, of Fife Lake, and Wendel Walling, of Avoca; his grandchildren, Tom Ingersoll, Roger Ingersoll, Ron (Patti) Ingersoll, Amy (Dereck) Hanson, Dawn (Brian) Berg, Lisa (George) Dove and Wendy Fryer; numerous great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; and his siblings, Carl (Edith) Ingersoll, of Fife Lake, Roy Lee (Ruthann) Ingersoll, of Fife Lake, Helen Sloat, of Lake City, and Virginia Marrow, of Traverse City.
Preceding him death were an infant son, Martin; his grandson, Troy; his siblings, Stanley Ingersoll, Homer "Diggy" Ingersoll, Frank Ingersoll, Lula Belle Ingersoll, Blanche Ingersoll, Linda Angell, Violet Burns, Rose "Nanny" Cox and Mildred Frye; and his very special brothers-in-law, Cecil Burns, Orley Cox, William "Junior" Sloat, Keith Marrow and Julius Walling.
Robert also left behind wonderful memories of a very special and wonderful husband, dad and granddad. He was a role model of leadership, wisdom and history of all kinds. Robert will be deeply missed by his many friends and family members.
The funeral service was held on Wed, Feb 16, 2011 at 1 pm at Wolfe-O'Neill Funeral home with Reverend Bruce VanDussen of Fife Lake Baptist Church officiating. Visitation was held two hours prior to the service. Burial will be in Ingersoll Cemetery in Springfield Township in the spring.
Services entrusted to Wolfe-O'Neill Funeral Home.
