Robert W. Cary, 80, of Lake Street in Cassopolis and formerly of Niles died at 4:40 p.m. Friday, Sept. 17, 2010 at his home following a brief illness.

He was born on Oct. 15, 1929 in Grand Rapids to John C. and Helen M. (Wren) Cary, Sr. and graduated from Ottawa Hills High School in Grand Rapids in 1947. He earned a bachelors degree in political science from the University of Michigan in 1951 and the Juris Doctorate from University of Michigan Law School in 1954.

He then served in the U.S. Army Intelligence Division as a counter-intelligence specialist. He came to Niles in 1956 to join a law office, moved to Diamond Lake in 1974 and retired in 2000.

Early in his practice, he represented the railroad employees union when the railroad moved operations from Niles to Elkhart, Ind.

He also served as attorney for many area townships, had trial experience in Michigan’s state and federal courts and appeals to the Michigan Court of Appeals and the State Supreme Court.

He served  the former Municipal Court of the City of Niles as an associate judge and volunteered at the University of Notre Dame Law School to judge practice court cases. He was a member and officer of the Berrien County Bar Association and a member of the state bar, an incorporator of the Berrien County Legal Services, member of the League of Women Voters, state and democratic parties and the Democratic Lawyers of Michigan.

Bob was a member of many civic and service organizations including 53 years at the niles-Buchanan Club of Rotary International which he served many years as editor of the weekly ‘spokesman’ and was a successful advocate for women.

He was a long -time member of Saint Mary Catholic Church in Niles and was currently attending Saint Ann Catholic Church in Cassopolis.

On August 13, 1955 in Bad Cannstatt Germany, he married the former June F. Anderson who survives.

Also surviving are their children, Karon Cary Miars of Kalamazoo, Cynthia “Cy” (Patrick) Cary Werntz of South Bend and Stephen (Jane) Cary of Montgomery, Texas; grandchildren Lindsay, Grant and Marissa Miars, Ryan, Allyson and Cary Werntz, Robert, Lauren, Caitlin and Jenna Cary and William, Mathew and Margaret Speakman; brother John C. “Tim” (Pat) Cary, Jr. of Niles and their children, John C. Cary III, Susan Cary White, Barbara Cary Sessions and David Cary.

The Mass of Christian Burial for Robert W. Cary will be celebrated 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 24 2010 at Saint Ann Catholic Church by the Rev. Donald G. Potts of the parish with the Rev. William Schooler of Saint Pius X Catholic Church in Granger, Ind. concelebrating.

The Veteran’s Flag Presentation and Taps will be conducted in the churchyard by American Legion Post No. 51, Buchanan.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.

Contributions in memory of Robert Cary may be made to Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) or to the Cass County Council on Aging.