Bob Sharp, 79

Robert Russell Sharp, age 79, of Colon, passed away Saturday evening, April 27, 2013.

Bob was born in the Sharp Centennial home on Engle Road in Colon Twp. on June 2, 1933, a son to the late Leon Russell and Anna Lucille (Loudenslager) Sharp.

He lived his whole life in the Colon community. He went to the Deno Country School near his home and then went on to attend and graduate from Colon High School with the Class of 1951.

Bob served proudly in the U.S. Army from 1954 to 1956, and was stationed in Germany. Following his discharge from the Army in 1956, he made his home on “Sharp’s Corner”, where he has resided for the past 56 years.

On Sept. 6, 1952, he married Judith Mumby in Fulton. She preceded him in death on Dec. 24, 1994. On July 20, 1996, he married Carolyn (Lampe) Woods, who survives.

Bob was proud of and loved his family and farmed his whole life. He had a very strong work ethic of working hard and always keeping busy, no matter what the weather or what time of year. He so loved the land and, together with his sons, he ran a daily operation and went on to be a very successful farmer and producer. His sons and grandsons are proudly carrying on the legacy of his father and himself as they continue to farm the land that they so cherished.

One of Bob’s fondest hobbies was that of snowmobiling, where he rode many miles throughout the Upper Peninsula. He also enjoyed the yearly trips to “Deer Camp” with family and friends in the Upper Peninsula. While his sons were growing up, Bob was involved in the Little League program, Boy Scouts and served on the Colon School Board. He was a very giving man who took great pride in providing meals for many sports teams at their games or camps. He enjoyed playing cards, fishing, mushrooming and going up north to the Sharp Cabin in Irons. Being an extremely patriotic man, Bob looked forward every year to the 4th of July holiday and the meaning behind it and contributed many floats in Colon’s 4th of July parades. He was a member of the Colon Area Anglers Association, a life member of the Colon Masonic Lodge #73 and was also a proud member of the Colon American Legion Post #454.

Surviving are his wife, Carolyn; his four sons and wives, Randy and Mary Jo, Andrew and Sally, Mark and Carol, and Daniel Sharp, all of Colon; step children, Cindy Augustine of California; Jeff Woods of Texas; Cathy Paukune of Florida and Randy Woods of Sturgis; 21 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren, sister; Joan (Sharp) Kowal and husband, Richard of Kalamazoo and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by a sister, Laura Jean (Sharp) Heystek and granddaughter, Lyndsay (Sharp) Bingaman.

The family will receive friends and family at the Schipper Funeral Home LTD. in Colon on Tuesday, April 30, 2013 from 3-7 p.m. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, May 1, 2013 at 11 a.m. from the funeral home with Pastor John Sterner from the Colon United Methodist Church officiating. Interment will follow in Lakeside Cemetery in Colon with Military honors conferred by the U.S. Army Honor Guard and the Colon American Legion.

In Lieu of flowers, those wishing to make a memorial donation in Bob’s memory may do so to the Colon American Legion Post #454. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Tuesday from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Funeral services celebrating the life of Robert R. Sharp will be Wednesday, May 1, 2013 at 11 a.m. from the funeral home with officiating. Burial will follow at Lakeside Cemetery with Military Honors conferred by the US Army Honor Guard and Colon American Legion.

If desired the family suggest memorials be made in memory of Bob to the Colon American Legion Post #454. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.