Robert F. Keusch

Robert Keusch, 87, of Beal City, passed away Sunday, Aug. 15, 2010, at Woodland Hospice.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 17, at St. Joseph The Worker Church in Beal City with Father Patrick Jankowiak presiding. Burial will be in Chapel Hill Cemetery in Lansing on Wednesday at 11 a.m.

The family will receive friends at Charles R. Lux Family Funeral Home on Monday from 2-4 and 6-9 p.m. with the Vigil beginning at 7:30 p.m. Visitation continues at the church on Tuesday one hour prior to Mass.

Memorial contributions may be made to Woodland Hospice or St. Joseph The Worker School. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home or church.

Robert was born Aug. 13, 1923, in Westphalia, the son of the late John and Mary (Miller) Keusch.

His Catholic faith, an integral part of Bob’s life, developed from his family, education, and church. Bob graduated from Resurrection Catholic School in Lansing in 1943. Having lived in Michigan most of his life, Bob worshipped at Resurrection and Holy Cross Parish in Lansing as well as St. Jude in DeWitt and Holy Family in Ovid. When living in Las Vegas, Bob attended St. Bridgette. He was a long time member of St. Vincent DePaul. Bob also wintered in Florida. He was a member of St. Joseph the Worker Parish in Beal City at the time of his death.

Bob, along with his brothers, Julius, Clement, and William (all deceased) and his surviving sister, Virginia Sandborn of DeWitt, owned and operated Keusch Brothers. They began their company doing excavating and drains. The company expanded into the lawn sod business and then progressed into the developers of Keusch Country Acres in Williamston and Walnut Estates Subdivision in DeWitt.

Bob was fortunate to have found love twice in his life. Bob was married to the late Betty Hogan in 1967. Her children, Chris Hogan (deceased), Cathy Murgan of Traverse City, Kevin Hogan of DeWitt, and Carol Hogan (daughter Cassie) of Lansing, and grandchildren were dear to Bob. He and Betty were married for over 24 years.

In 1992, Bob married Gertie Schafer Stewart who survives him. Bob treasured all of his family, Diann Latham of Lake, Patricia Stewart of Mt. Pleasant, Elaine Stiles, Weldon Stewart, Margaret and Russell Gross, Rose Stewart, and Dave Stewart, all of Weidman, Carl and Ann Stewart and Lisa Towers of Mt. Pleasant and Betty and Todd Lee of Texas; and grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Betty; step-son, Chris Hogan; three brothers, Clement, William and Julius; and grandchildren, Brian Rau and Brent Olson.

Bob was devoted to God and lived his life as an example of God’s love for all. His family will miss his smile and his love. He was always there for anyone who needed him. He helped those in need, especially by finding them work so that they could support themselves. May he rest in God’s love for eternity.