Robert Rettenmaier

Robert  W. “Bob”  Rettenmaier, Age 84, Of Battle Creek, Passed away Monday, December 16, 2013, at Lifespan Good Samaritan Hospice Residence. Robert was born on July 2, 1929, in Ft Dodge, Iowa, the son of William and Mary (Steininger) Rettenmaier.  He was a 1948 graduate of Corpus Cristi Academy in Fort Dodge, Iowa. He was a graduate of Hamilton Business College in Mason City, Iowa and then graduated with a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Iowa in 1955 and received an MBA from Central Michigan University in 1985. He had been an area resident since 1984 coming from Grayling, MI. At 17 years old he joined the Army Signal Corps while he was still in high school. Robert served in the U.S. Army during WWII and Korea. On August 8, 1953, he was united in marriage to Regina Plum who preceded him in death in 1998. He then married Helen O’Heran on October 24, 1998, who survives. Bob lived and worked in several communities before coming to Battle Creek. He worked for the Sisters of Mercy in Bay City, Grayling and Battle Creek from 1969 until his retirement in 1990. He also worked for Mercy Pavilion and Leila Hospital prior to his retirement. Then Bob worked for Behnke Inc. until 1997. Bob was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, Boy Scouts and the Lakeview Lions Club. Surviving are children, Thomas G. (Catherine) Rettenmaier, Mary A. Rettenmaier, Theresa M. “Trees” (Mark) Hill, Margaret “Peggy” (Joseph) Wieland, Kevin (Shari) O’Heran, Sean (Patty) O’Heran, Brian T. (Schivawn) O’Heran and Peg Kennedy; 17 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren; sisters, Frances M. (Robert) Dougherty and Catherine C. Kessler; a brother Albert J. (Pat) Rettenmaier. Visitation will be held Thursday from 2 to 4:00 p.m. and 6 to 8:00 p.m. at the Richard A. Henry Funeral Home with a Rosary at 7:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday at St. Joseph Catholic Church with The Very Rev. Mark J. Vyverman V.F. officiating. Interment will be at Fort Custer National Cemetery Monday at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church, Lifespan Good Samaritan Hospice Residence or a charity of one’s choice. www.henryfuneralhome.org

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