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Robert "Bob" Manley Ingersoll, 95, passed away at his home in Fife Lake on February 13, 2011. He was born on April 13, 1915 in Fife Lake to the late Roy Van and Rose Etta (Helsel) Ingersoll. On July 13, 1940 in Fife Lake, he was united in marriage to Lavona M. Walling of Lake City.In earlier years, Robert was in the CCC and WPA and had lived and worked in Auburn Hills. Shortly thereafter, the family moved back to Fife Lake where he lived out the remainder of his life. Robert had been employed by Doyle Freight Lines and Parker Motor Freight located in Cadillac. Later he worked as a truck driver for the Kalkaska Road Commission, retiring after twenty years of service. After retirement, Robert was elected to the Kalkaska County Road Commission and was eventually appointed to serve on the Kalkaska County Planning and Zoning Board. He was always active in the local political scene, often circulating petitions for various candidates. Robert was instrumental in getting the new Springfield Township Hall built. One year he was named Democrat of the Year by the Kalkaska County Democratic Party. Robert lived through the Great Depression of 1929 which led him to have a greater insight into the struggles of life - difficulties that the whole country, his neighbors, his family, and he himself experienced. FDR was probably the person with the greatest influence on Robert during his lifetime.Robert was a jack-of-all-trades with abilities related to construction, plumbing, auto repairs, and wiring. His family often came to him for help with their own projects, and sometimes just plain good old advice. Robert had a great interest in local history and enjoyed a variety of music including bluegrass, bluegrass gospel, country, country gospel, and big band music. He liked talking about musical instruments, tinkering with cars, and puttering in the garage. Robert had a genuine gift of gab and would often strike up conversations with total strangers. He attended the Fife Lake Baptist Church.Robert is survived by his devoted wife of 70 years, Lavona; his loving children, Bob (Dana) Ingersoll of Fife Lake, Keith (Sharon) Ingersoll of Fife Lake, Cheryl Ingersoll of Fife Lake, and Wendel Walling of Avoca; his grandchildren, Tom Ingersoll, Roger Ingersoll, Ron (Patti) Ingersoll, Amy (Dereck) Hanson, Dawn (Brian) Berg, Lisa (George) Dove, and Wendy Fryer; numerous great-grandchildren; 4 great-great-grandchildren; and his siblings, Carl (Edith) Ingersoll of Fife Lake, Roy Lee (Ruthann) Ingersoll of Fife Lake, Helen Sloat of Lake City, and Virginia Marrow of Traverse City.Preceding him death was an infant son, Martin; his grandson, Troy; his siblings, Stanley Ingersoll, Homer "Diggy" Ingersoll, Frank Ingersoll, Lula Belle Ingersoll, Blanche Ingersoll, Linda Angell, Violet Burns, Rose "Nanny" Cox, and Mildred Frye; and his very special brother-in-laws, Cecil Burns, Orley Cox, William "Junior" Sloat, Keith Marrow, and Julius Walling.Robert also left behind wonderful memories of a very special and wonderful husband, dad, and granddad. He was a role model of leadership, wisdom, and history of all kinds. Robert will be deeply missed by his many friends and family members.The funeral service will be held on Wednesday, February 16, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. at Wolfe-O'Neill Funeral home with Reverend Bruce VanDussen of Fife Lake Baptist Church officiating. Visitation will be held 2 hours prior to the service. Burial will be in Ingersoll Cemetery in Springfield Township in the spring.Contributions may be given in Robert's memory to the charity of your choice or to the Family of Robert Ingersoll, c/o 106 S. Cherry Street, Kalkaska, MI 49646.Condolences may be left on-line at www.wolfeoneill.com.Arrangements were made by Wolfe-O'Neill Funeral Home, our family serving yours.

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Robert "Bob" Ingersoll

April 13, 1915 - February 16, 2011