Robert Joseph Eiseman
(September 6, 1922 - January 15, 2008)
 

Robert Joseph Eiseman, age 85, of Park Avenue, AuTrain, died late Tuesday morning, January 15, 2008 at the Tendercare Health Center in Munising. He was born in Marquette, Michigan on September 6, 1922 to the late Louis and Rachel (Doucette) Eiseman. Bob attended Bishop Baraga School in Marquette and in 1943, he entered into the U.S. Army. Bob served in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater during WWII and was involved in the battle of the Western Pacific. He was discharged in 1946 worked for the railroad and Munising Woodenware. Bob married Phyllis Jean Gauthier on April 24, 1954 and together raised their family. They took over the store in AuTrain and owned and operated Bob’s Grocery for over thirty-eight years. He loved to interact, play with, and tease his customers in the AuTrain community. Bob was a member of St. Therese in AuTrain and served as the church’s handyman for many years. Bob took care of the collection, cleaned, shoveled, and fixed whatever the church needed. He was also a member of the American Legion. Bob loved cutting wood and was the “President of the Woodcutting Union.” He also enjoyed helping the McCollum family make maple syrup and was called the “The Old Dog.” He enjoyed hunting and was a member of “Hack’s Hunting Camp.” Bob truly enjoyed being outdoors whether he was raking or caring for his beautiful flower and vegetable gardens.

He is survived by his wife of over fifty-three years – Phyllis Eiseman of AuTrain; children – Jan (Gerald) Groff of Tawas, MI, Mike (Patty Ann) Eiseman of Munising; Patty Ann Eiseman of AuTrain, Rick Eiseman of AuTrain, Thomas (Charlotte) Eiseman of AuTrain, Daniel Eiseman of Fairview Heights, IL, Jim (Carol) Eiseman of AuTrain, and Lou Eiseman of AuTrain; 19 grandchildren – Michelle, Tammy, Eric, Allison, Robert Jr., Daren, Jamie, Michael, Paul, Melissa, Jody, Miranda, Mirissa, Amanda, Veronika, Zach, Isaac, Robert, and Jim-Bob; 7 great-grandchildren with another one due in July; sister – Betty Card of Munising; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins and in-laws. Bob was preceded in death by a daughter, Joanne in 1979, and a son – Robert “Bobbo” in 2005.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated by Father Chris Gardiner on Friday, January 18, 2008 at 12:10 p.m. at Sacred Heart Church in Munising. Interment will be at a later date at the Serenity Pines Cemetery in AuTrain. At that time the Alger County Veterans Council and American Legion Honor Guard will conduct military honors.

Submitted by Char Livermore