Robert Charles Iler

Robert Charles Iler, of Bay City, our loving husband, father, grandfather and uncle, died peacefully of a brief illness on Sunday March 4, 2012, age 86. The son of the late Allan & Martha (Gottschling) Iler, he was born April 29, 1925 in Bay City. Robert graduated from Bay City Central High School. He served in the U.S. Navy during WWII on the U.S.S. Reagle in the South Pacific and was honorably discharged in 1945. On May 3, 1947 Robert married the former Shirley B. Gordon and they have been married for over 64 years. He worked for Consumers Power Co. for 40 years. Robert is survived by his wife, Shirley; four children, Kipp Iler, Kris Iler and Kim Iler all of Bay City and Kerry Iler of Pinconning; two wonderful grandchildren, Lindsay Iler of Essexville and Dane Iler of Bay City; two brothers-in-law, Allen (Paulette) Gordon of San Antonio, TX and Kenneth (Maurita) Gordon of Fredericksburg, VA; a sister-in-law, Mildred Gordon; many nieces & nephews and a special niece, Terry Gordon of Essexville. Besides his parents, Robert was also preceded in death by two brothers, Edward Iler and Henry Iler; and a brother-in-law, Lawrence Gordon. Robert was a member of Christ United Methodist Church. He loved spending time with his sons and grandson deer hunting and treasured the time spent with his special granddaughter Lindsay. Robert loved working in the yard on his flowers, fishing and traveling. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Douglas Tubman for all his care and help with Robert over the years. The funeral service will take place at 11:00am on Friday March 9, 2012 at Christ United Methodist Church, 4267 S. Two Mile Rd. Officiating will be Rev. Carol M. Blair-Bouse followed by Military Honors conducted by the Bay County Veterans Council. A private family burial will take place at a later date at Floral Gardens Cemetery. Friends may call at the Gephart Funeral Home on Thursday from 2:00 to 8:00pm. Mr. Iler will lie instate at the church on Friday from 10:00am until time of service. Memorial contributions may be made to the wishes of the family. gephartfuneralhome.com I'd like the memory of me to be a happy one, I'd like to leave an afterglow of smiles when day is gone. I'd like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways, Of happy times, and laughing times, and bright and sunny days. I'd like the tears of those who grieve to dry before the sun, Of happy memories that I leave when my life on earth is done.