Robert W. Powers

Robert W. Powers
Bob Powers died at his home in Marcellus on Friday, November 21 at 85 years of age.
He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Varetta; son, Phillip of Mattawan; daughter, Tonya (Mike) Brown of Grand Blanc; and granddaughter, Shana, of Bloomfield Hills.
Bob was born on April 18, 1929 in Porter Township, Van Buren County, to Garfield and Grace Powers. His parents and step-father, Charles Hering preceded him in death.
He graduated from Marcellus High School in 1947 and Michigan State University with a B.S. degree in agricultural science and a vocational education certificate. He and Varetta Copenhaver, of Marcellus were married in 1949 while he was a student at MSU. Following graduation, he entered the U.S. Army and attained the rank of Sergeant. He returned to Marcellus and co-founded the Abbot & Powers Agency with his uncle, Hazen Abbott, which he owned and operated for 21 years.
He then purchased the Grassland Sod Farm, which he operated for nine years. He returned to the insurance business when he purchased the Guy Eby Insurance Agency in Cassopolis in 1982. In 1997 he retired to his home at Hemlock Lake.
During his lifetime, Bob served on many governing boards. He was the Marcellus Township Treasurer, Lewis Cass Intermediate School Director, Cass County Commissioner, Cass County Parks Commission member, Cass County Department of Public Works member and past president of Tri-County Child Development Commission for 30 years. Before retiring in 2011 from the Cass County Road Commission, he served as member and Chairman, again for 30 years. He was instrumental in the completion of Highway 17, connecting Cass County to the Indiana Toll Road.
Bob also contributed his time and effort to building projects in Cass County. He chaired the building committee for the Cass County Medical Care Facility, served on the panel that rebuilt the Cass County Courthouse, chaired a building committee for the Marcellus Community Schools and while serving on the Cass County Department of Public Works, the Marcellus sewer system was built.
For many years, Bob was active in the Cass County Republican Party and in 1998 was the Republican candidate for the 59th District House of Representatives.
Locally, he was a member of the Volinia-Marcellus Lodge, a former Rotarian, and while residing in the village, a member of the Marcellus Fire Department. Bob enjoyed playing cards and in his later years, spent Wednesday evenings with a local card group.
Visitation with the family will be from 3 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, November 23 at the Mater-Ralston Funeral Home, Marcellus. The funeral service will immediately follow at 5 p.m. Cremation has taken place.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be directed to Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan. Online condolences may be left at www.materralstonfuneralhome.com