CASSOPOLIS – Robert C. Gleason, 85, of Eagle Point Road, Cassopolis, died Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2009, in his home after an illness.

He was born June 7, 1924, in Cassopolis, the son of the late Clare and Vesta (Cook) Gleason. He lived his entire life in Cassopolis.

Robert married Margaret A. Keeley on Jan. 1, 1946, in Cassopolis.

His wife survives, along with: a daughter, Cheryl “Cheri” Collins of Cassopolis; a son, Dennis (Julie) Gleason of Dowagiac; three grandchildren, Jeremy (Tiffany) Gleason of Las Vegas, Nevada, Shawna (Eric) West of Schoolcraft and Todd (Claire) Collins of Cassopolis; five great-grandchildren, Ryan Gleason, Nicholas Gleason, Alexandra West, Megan West and Gage Collins; a sister, Joan Squiers of Edwardsburg; a brother, Dale Gleason of Cassopolis; and several nieces and nephews.

A brother, James Gleason, preceded him in death.

Bob retired in 1987 as a rural carrier for the Cassopolis Post Office after 33 years of service. He also was a lifetime farmer.

Bob was also a retired sexton with the Reames and Norton Cemetery in Cassopolis.
He was a former Cass County Fair Association board member, retiring in 1993, and a grand marshal of the fair in 1999.

He was elected a Cassopolis Citizen of the Year in 1997. He was a key leader with Calvin 4-H Club, a member of the former Backus Lodge 55, F&AM, belonged to Elkhart, Ind., Moose Lodge and to the Cass County Campers.

A funeral service will be Monday at 11 a.m. at Pleasant View Church of Christ, Cassopolis, where he was a member.

Officiating will be the Rev. Larry Settle, retired pastor.

Interment will be in Reames and Norton Cemetery, Cassopolis.

His family will receive friends on Sunday from 2 to 6 p.m. at Connelly Funeral Home, Cassopolis.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like memorials made to Pleasant View Church of Christ or to the Cass County Fair Association.