Robert "Bob" V. Ollila, Sr.

Rumely

Robert “Bob” V. Ollila, Sr., age 86, of Rumely, died early Monday morning, July 12, 2021, at the D.J. Jacobetti Home for Veterans in Marquette.  He was born on August 6, 1934 in Rumley, Michigan on the family farm.  Bob graduated from Eben High School in 1952.  He entered the U.S. Army in 1954 and was a member of the 826th Tank Battalion where he served as a mechanic.  Bob was honorably discharged as a SP3 (T) in June of 1958 and was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Army of Occupation Medal (Germany), and Good Conduct Medal.  When he returned home, he met and then married Martha H. Koch on April 14, 1957.  He started working for CCI as a welder and then moved to Waukegan, IL from 1959-1961.  Bob and Martha returned home to the U.P. and he worked at CCI as a welder and then an electrician until his retirement.  Martha preceded him in death in 1989.  Bob enjoyed daily trips to pick up his newspaper and a cup of coffee and enjoyed many Sunday breakfasts at The Dogpatch or Sydney’s.  He also enjoyed Novembers being spent at deer camp with Randy and Brett.  Bob excelled at being a Grandpa.   He loved supporting Mustang sports and never missed one of his granddaughters’ games, competitions, programs, or parties.  Bob looked forward to his January trips to Florida to celebrate Sammy and Brett’s birthdays, and he loved taking his granddaughters to the U.P. State Fair and letting them get away with much more than their parents would allow.  He always believed that his grandkids could figure out whatever task he entrusted them with.

Bob is survived by two sons – Robert (Loretta) Ollila, Jr. of Munising and Randy (Beverly) Ollila of Shelter Bay; grandchildren – Jessica (Brad) Heyrman of Sault Ste. Marie, MI, Ashlee (Mace) Davis of Kimberly, WI, Courtney (David) Oas of Munising, Chelsea (Andrew) Matson of Munising, Meagan (Codey) Grahovac of Munising, Samantha (Andrew) Hagon of Fort Collins, CO, and Brett Charles Ollila of Fort Collins, CO; great grandchildren – Nathan, Natalie, Mason, Carter, Morgan, Logan, Jordan, Caden, Adelyn, Amelia, and one on the way; longtime friend and companion – Nancy Anderson.  He was preceded in death by his mother Vera Kannisto, loving wife Martha, and Arthur Kannisto, Ruth Joki, Helen Keto, and Betty Salo.

Services will be at the Bowerman Funeral Home on Friday, July 16, 2021.  Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until noon.  Pastor Jason LaFlamme will conduct Bob’s funeral at noon at the funeral home.  Interment will follow at the Pine Grove Cemetery in Chatham where the American Legion and Vietnam Veteran Honor Guard will conduct military honors.  In lieu of flowers, memorials in Bob’s name may be made to the D.J. Jacobetti – Activity Fund.