Robert Spears Pendleton, age 82, of Sturgis, passed away Friday, Feb. 14, 2014, at home, surrounded by his loving family.
He was born Jan. 29, 1932, in White Pigeon, and had been a resident of White Pigeon and Sturgis most of his life, except for five years living in Pennsylvania.
On March 23, 1957, he married Helen Harmon, in White Pigeon.
Robert was a veteran of the U.S. Navy and served his country in the Korean War.
He was first employed at Wade Electric in Sturgis and then Grumman Olson, where he worked for more than 25 years, retiring in the late 1980s.
He enjoyed hunting and anything to do with automobiles: working on them, driving them, owning them, looking at them, watching them race, etc.
Surviving are his wife of 57 years, Helen; a daughter, Sandra (Henry) Knier of Caro; three sons, Nathan (Sara) Pendleton of Sturgis, Timothy (Lorena) Pendleton of Sturgis and Bruce Pendleton of Boise, Idaho; eight grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his mother and stepfather, Ruth and Dale Harris; a brother, Edward Pendleton; and a sister, Ruth Gadson.
The family will receive friends and relatives from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday at Hackman Chapel of Hackman Family Funeral Homes, 114 S. Nottawa St., Sturgis.
Services celebrating the life of Robert S. Pendleton will be held at 1 p.m. Monday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Ross Gerber, Grace Christian Fellowship, officiating. Full military honors also will be conducted by the U.S. Navy Honor Guard and the Capt. John J. Kelley V.F.W. Post #1355.
Interment will take place at 4 p.m. Monday at White Pigeon Cemetery.
The family suggests memorial donations be directed to the American Heart Association. Envelopes are available at the funeral home.