Robert D. Frey

Robert D. Frey, age 47, of Ceresco, died unexpectedly at his home on Friday evening, July 14, 2006. Bob was born on February 7, 1959 in Marshall''s Oaklawn Hospital to Merlin G. and Wilma Lou (Iler) Frey. He has lived in Ceresco area all of his life. He graduated from Harper Creek High School in 1977, attended KCC and then Ferris State University. Bob was injured in a motorcycle accident in 1976, and has been a paraplegic since then. In 1977, he was again critically injured in an auto accident that eventually took his mother''s life in 1982. His disability did not hamper either his attitude or willingness to do things. Bob was well known for his cheerful and optimistic attitude. He connected with people very well, always focusing on their good. The neighborhood children would often stop and talk with Bob when he was out. Bob was blessed with good friends and family, who never hesitated to ask him along on an outing. He had worked at Goodwill Industries, American Fibrit, and the Kellogg Arena all in Battle Creek. Bob was a member of Harper Creek Optimist Club, and belonged to a college fraternity at Ferris State University. He was member of the John Birch Society, and according to brother Rick "a die hard American!". He really liked to cook, attempting to rival Emeril in food preparation skills. Thursday nights were special nights, when Bob and brother Rick would have "fish night", trying any recipe that crossed their hands! He was an avid NASCAR fan, and just attended a race at Michigan International Speedway in June. Bob was also a Lion''s football fan, again always finding something good that happened in a game to discuss! Bob''s main priority in his life was always his loving and devoted family. He loved his nieces, nephew and great-nephews as if they were his own. Surviving are his father and step-mother Merlin G. and Betty Frey of Battle Creek, his brother and sister-in-law Rick and Dawn Frey of Ceresco, his sisters, Merlynn K. Hinton of Ceresco and Mary Frey of Eaton Rapids; a nephew, Bill (Lisa Burthead) Bolton; his nieces Sarah (Kevin) Collins of Battle Creek, Stacey and Heather Frey both of Ceresco, Danielle (Jamie) Ray of Tekonsha, Brooke Hinton of Ceresco, and Cara and Lisa Rundquist both of Eaton Rapids, his great-nephews Kaleb and Kamren ; his step-sister Nancy Bond of Jacksonville,FL, and 2 step-brothers David (Pam) Kline of Battle Creek and Gary (Bobbie) Kline of Lake City. Bob was preceded in death by a sister Merlene Frey as an infant, his mother Wilma L. Frey on Aug. 16, 1982, maternal grandparents Kenneth and Belle Iler, paternal grandparents George and Hazel Frey, and his brother in law Timothy L. Hinton on May 4, 2005. Friends may call at Craig K. Kempf Funeral Home on Monday 2PM to 9PM, where Bob''s family will be present to greet friends and share memories 2PM-4PM and 6PM-8PM. Funeral services to celebrate and remember his life will be held on Tuesday at 11AM with Rev. Richard Schlee of Ceresco Baptist Church officiating. Interment will follow in Newton Cemetery. The family suggests that those who wish to make a memorial contribution direct it to Medical Resource Management for an educational fund for their staff or the Ceresco Baptist Church.