Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....Oliver, Robert Lester June 2, 2008 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Patricia Currigan currigan1932@concast.net November 5, 2023, 8:21 am Ionia Sentinel Standard -Thursday June 5, 2008 Robert Lester Oliver Robert Lester Oliver, of Grand Ledge and formerly of Frankfort, Mich., passed away Monday morning, June 2, 2008 at the age of 89. Robert, the second of three children of Archie and Eva Oliver, was born Jan. 26, 1919 on the family farm in Benzie County. In 1927, the family sod the farm, and it was developed into the Crystal Downs Country Club and Golf Course in teh Frankfort area (Coincidentally, wife Venice grew up on a centennial farm in Pewamo that her family sold, and that is now the Huckleberry Golf Course). Robert's family moved into Frankfort, where Robert entered the public schools, graduating int he class of '38. During his high school days. Robert played on the high school varsity tennis team; and was considered an excellent player. Robert entered Central State Teachers College in Mt.Pleasant (now Central Michigan University) in 1939, graduating with a B.S. degree in 1944. Immediately upon graduation, Robert entered the Army for two years, serving in Central Europe doing Ordinance Headquarters administrative work. Honorably discharged with the rank of Master Sergeant in June 1946, he married Venice Norma Vance (Who he had met while they both were attending Central Michigan) on Aug.17, 1946.Robert and Venice moved to Ann Arbor, where Robert attended graduate school at the university of Michigan, earning his M.A. degree in social science and geography in 1948. Robert and Venice then moved to Ionia around 1950 and became teachers in the Ionia Schools system. Robert taught for 32 years, serving in the dual capacity as junior high social studies teacher and Audio-Visual Director for all of IPS. For five years, during the summers, the couple "went North" and operated the Frankfort Public Golf Course for the chamber of Commerce. Robert eventually retired from teaching, and the couple moved back to Robert's birthplace in Frankfort in 1981.For the next 17 "wonderful" years, Robert and Venice "wintered" in the Coachwood Mobile Park in Leesburg, Fla. from November to April. During the rest of the years (April to November) the couple maintained a permanent residence at 129 Maple Street in Frankfort and owned a "summer retreat" high on the bluffs in the Michabou Shores subdivision right on Lake Michigan, seven miles north of Frankfort; ironically adjacent to the old family farm that was sold in 1927 to become Crystal Downs. In retirement, Robert was active in the local AARP, serving as Health Insurance Chairman and for the Benzie Area Teachers Association, including several years as president. Robert and his wife Venice were also lifetime members of the Benzie County Historical Society, members of the Friends of the Pointe Betsie Lighthouse and avid users of the local libraries wherever they lived. Robert and Venice loved to read, enjoyed travel and enjoyed being with family, as well as life-long friends from Ionia, Leesburg and Frankfort.In 2005, when his wife Venice was faced with failing health, the couple sold their properties "up north", and moved some 188 miles southeast to Grand Ledge to be near their daughter Norma and son-in -law Jim. The couple became residences of Independence Village in May of 2005. Robert said they thoroughly enjoyed the "fine food", many activities and good people and staff at Independence Village during their three-year stay. In looking back on his life, especially in the early years, Robert often reflected on the anomaly of growing up in the tough times of the Depression, yet amidst the abundant beauty and utility of Bensie' lakes, rivers, hills and forest; there was always an abundance of fun activities, be it summer or winter. Daughter Norma said, "My husband Jim and I have been honored to be daily care givers for dad (and mom) the past six months. Dad was such an honorable man, he had such integrity and had a strong work ethic his entire life.Dad was deeply committed to his family and wife.He thoroughly loved being "up north" in the Frankfort and Benzie area. He truly enjoyed its beauty and living a simple and good life. He was the happiest when he was in Frankfort and on Lake Michigan." Robert was preceded in death by his parents, Archie and Eva Oliver, by his older brother Kennth, younger sister Doris and his beloved wife of 61 years, Venice Nora (Vance) Oliver, who passed away Dec. 28, 2007. Robert is survived by his daughter Julie Oliver, of Mt.Pleasant, and by his daughter Nora (Jim) Haase, fo Grand Ledge. The family will hold private services only. Interment will be in the Crystal Lake Township North Cemetery in Frankfort, with all arrangements by Peters and Murray funeral Home in Grand Ledge. Additional Comments: North Cem.,Crystal Lake Twp.,Frankfort,MI File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/mi/ionia/obits/o/oliver46479nob.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/mifiles/ File size: 5.3 Kb