Submitted by: Mary Jo Koran

SBT August 8, 1999

Robert C. Donihue

July 6, 1921 - Aug. 6, 1999

STURGIS - Robert C. Donihue, 78, of 1419 Rolling Ridge Lane, Sturgis, Mich., died on Friday, Aug. 6, in his home.

He was born on July 6, 1921, in Ray, Ind., the son of Walter and Nellie (Welch) Donihue. Bob had been a Sturgis resident since 1939, coming from Hillsdale. On Aug. 5, 1944, he married Dorothy Rawles in Sturgis. She died on Dec. 27, 1986. He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, and by a sister, Arcil Greiner.

For over 30 years Bob had been employed as a manager of David's Dairy in Sturgis. He had also been employed as a maintenance man for Grumman Olsen and as an electrician for Leister Electric, both in Sturgis.

Bob was a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Navy, and earned the rank of Aviation Ordnance First Class. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Sturgis, and the Newman-Wenzel Post #73 American Legion. Bob was also a past member of Oddfellows L.O.O.F. #37, and was active in scouting, serving as a scoutmaster and a member of the Fruit Belt Council.

He married Wanda M. (Good) Priniski on Aug. 1, 1987, in Sturgis. He is survived by his wife, Wanda; two sons and daughters-in-law, Robert and Juanita Donihue, Jr., of South Bend and David and Yolanda Donihue of Brookfield, Wis.; a stepdaughter and son-in-law, Susan and Pat Schafer of Shepherd, Mich.; a stepson, Terry Priniski of Chattanooga, Tenn.; four grandsons, Scott, Jason, Keith and Christopher Donihue; six step-grandchildren, John, Scott and Steve Grace, Blaine and Brian Schafer, and Nadga Campbell; two great-grandchildren and 11 step-great-grandchildren; and by a brother and sister-in-law, Kenneth and Martha Donihue of Punta Gorda, Fla.

The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. today. Funeral services celebrating the life of Robert C. Donihue will be held at 3 p.m. on Monday in the First Methodist Church in Sturgis. The Rev. Kenneth Treman and Pastor Robert Keim will officiate. Special music will be performed by Mrs. Cathy Cary and Mr. Fred Gushwa. Burial will take place at Sturgis Memorial Gardens. Full military rites will be conferred by Captain John J. Kelley, Post #1355 VFW.

If desired, memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church or Hospice of Sturgis. Envelopes are available at the funeral home.