Robert Earl Mayes, 82 yrs, of Temperance, died Saturday, June 26th at his residence. Friends may call at the Capaul Funeral Home, Ida, Thursday from 3-9 PM. Services will be at the funeral home Friday at 1:00 PM. Pastor George Czerniawski, of Solid Rock Church, Toledo, will officiate. Burial will be in Lulu Cemetery, Lulu.

Robert was born July 30, 1927, in Monroe, the son of Stirling and Marguerite L. (Gates) Mayes. When he was fifteen, he joined the crews of the Georgia Bay Liners, passenger ships on the Great Lakes, going from Cleveland to Chicago. Blessed with a deep baritone voice and a black beard, he hitch-hiked to San Francisco, lied about his age, and joined the US Maritime Service, which delivered war materials to all the ports, especially in the war zones.

The government took over the Merchant Marine and turned it into troopships. Bob was on one that took troops to Italy and North Africa. On July 30, 1943, Bob's sixteenth birthday, Bob was taking cover in the bay while German and Italian guns were shooting over the incoming troops. Realizing his life could be over, he vowed to get out of the Merchant Marines. By the time he got back to the US, the Draft Board was fuming because of his absence. He still had to do two years in the Army.

After he served, he attended Tri-State University, in Angola, IN, where he earned his Business Degree. He married Mignon Jensen, December 15, 1950, in Washington, DC. She died August 28, 2006. They raised a family, and he developed an insurance company of his own, in Bowling Green. He was also employed by the Hartford and Frontier Insurance Companies. Robert became interested in marathons and ran in many of the Toledo Blade races. He also did Triathalons, running, swimming, and biking.

Robert supported his family when he was in the Service. He was a great dad, and was always present and devoted to being a great "Uncle Bob" to all he knew and loved.

A Life Member of the Lynn C. Weeman American Legion Post 514, he was Past President of Sherwood Park Association, a member of Boy Scout Troop 38, Ida, the St. James Triathalons Club, the Toledo Road Runners, the Avian Hot Air Balloon Club, and was a volunteer for Mercy Memorial Hospice of Monroe.

Survivors include: sons, Robert (Wanda), Richard; daughter Kathleen (Danielle) Bonjovi; brothers, David (Judy) Mayes, John (Debbie) Mayes; step brother, Jerry (Lynda) Costelli; sisters, Betty (Skip) Uhl, Shirley Giljum, Melody (Jackie) Jorden, Velvet (Randy) Rauton, Heather (John) Chaney; seven grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, a brother, Ted, and a daughter, Gloria Jeanne Szymanski.

Memorial contributions for Robert may be made to: The Disabled Veterans Association.

Online condolences may be sent to: www.capaulfuneralhome.com.

Robert Earl Mayes

1927 - 2010