Robert E. Rotach

Robert E. “Bob” Rotach, 83, of Paw Paw, passed away, Tuesday, April 10, 2018 at Bronson Battle Creek Hospital in Battle Creek.  A Celebration of Life Service will be held 2:00 P.M. Sunday, April 15, 2018 at Newell Chapel, 83313 M-51, Decatur with Rev. Alan Flowers officiating. Burial will follow at Harrison Cemetery, Decatur. Friends may visit with the family from Noon until 2:00 P.M. Sunday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Decatur Athletic Boosters or Decatur VFW Post #6248 Ladies Auxiliary. Those wishing to sign Bob’s Memory Book online may do so at www.newellchapel.com.  Bob was born December 12, 1934 in Decatur to John & Betty (Tintera) Rotach. He graduated from Bangor High School, Class of 1952. On August 4, 1956 he married the former Louise Liles in Bangor. Bob was employed for forty years at National Water Lift in Kalamazoo, retiring in 1996 as supervisor. He was a ‘jack of all trades”, there wasn’t anything that he couldn’t fix. He enjoyed working in his pole barn and his family took advantage of his mechanic & handyman skills. He cherished the time spent with his family, especially his grandchildren. He attended all of their sporting events, missing only one, which conflicted with the World Series Game seven, in which his favorite Chicago Cubs won the title. Besides rooting for the Cubs, Bob enjoyed hunting mushrooms.  Bob is survived by his son Bob (Kathy) Rotach of Berrien Springs; his daughter Sandi (Kyle) Christensen of Decatur; his son-in-law Tim Wiles of Decatur; six grandchildren-Amanda (Thomas) Lamkin, Samantha Wiles, Josh Wiles, Chelsea Wiles, Shelby Christensen, Jordan Christensen; four great-grandchildren-Isabella, Duncan, Isaiah & Caedym Huntley; his sister Edna Fricano of Orland Hills, IL; and numerous nieces & nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife Louise on March 30, 2015, daughter Deborah Wiles, son Timmy Rotach, grandson Timmy Wiles, great-grandson Roland Huntley, & siblings-Milton & Wes Marik, Helen Hill & Esther (Joe) Cipri.