Robert Madeira

Died Saturday, November 4, 2017, at the Heritage Assisted Living Home in Battle Creek. Bob was born September 6, 1922, in Shamokin, PA, the son of Paul Madeira and Helen (Romberger) Madeira. He moved to Detroit as a child.  Bob entered the army reserves before completing high school. He was soon activated, and spent most of WWII as an Infantry Unit Commander and rose to the rank of 2 Lieutenant.  He was on his way to Japan when the war ended. He returned to Detroit and was united in marriage to Lena (Cioni) Madeira on July 9, 1949. Bob worked as a general foreman for Chevrolet in Detroit, then Warren, MI. Bob and Lena had a summer cottage on Lake St. Clair, in Stoney Point, Ontario. Bob loved to fish there and many happy family get togethers were held. He also loved to return to Pennsylvania to hunt at the family camp with his brother, uncles, and cousins. Bob eventually completed his GED thru a program with General Motors and also earned his flying license. He took pleasure in flying and many hunting trips to Montana, Wyoming and Newfoundland. After retirement Bob and Lena wintered at Piney Point in Palmetto, FL. He became champ at Billiards, Shuffle Board and Pinochle. The couple moved to Battle Creek, in 1988, to be near their daughter Susan. Bob moved to the Heritage in January of 2015.  Lena was ill and eventually passed away in July 2015. Bob loved the almost 3 years he spent at the Heritage. Bingo became his favorite pastime, as well as attending music events, and weekly church service by St. Joseph Church. Feeding the swans, geese, and deer out the window was a favorite. Bob was voted resident of the month and prom king. He had so many friends there, from residents to caregivers. Bob is survived by his three children:  Dr. Susan (Madeira) and Dr. Rodney Halonen, Sylvia (Madeira-Bye) and Wallace Zawierucha and Robert John and Robyn (Ruffini) Madeira; 8 grandchildren:  Amy (Bye) and Jason McQuade, Adam Bye and Erin St. Amour. Dr. Neil and Erin Halonen, Ryan and Melissa Halonen, Dr. Todd and Dr. Allison Halonen, Jared and Sarah Halonen, R. Mitchel Madeira and Alexa Madeira. Robert had 9 great grandchildren, he adored them immensely! The youngest, Gwen, was born in Hawaii only 2 days before his death. He is also survived by a sisters, Beatrice and Bob Mott and Pauline and Don Kwiatkoski; a brother, Richard Madeira; many nieces and nephews. He will always be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He was sweet and pleasant to all he met. He was happy and enjoyed nature, fond of Pennsylvania Dutch cooking and the Italian cooking that Lena made. A Memorial Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, November 9, 2017, at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. prior to the service at the church. Internment 12:00 pm with full military honors will be held at Fort Custer National Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the Fisher House Foundation (caring for Military families and veterans), St. Joseph Catholic Church or the American Diabetes Association. Arrangements by the Richard A. Henry Funeral Home. www.henryfuneralhome.org.