Robert J. Vajcner

Robert was born on March 22, 1937, the son of Frank J. Vajcner Sr. and Marion (VanWashnova) Vajcner in Newport, Michigan. On May 7, 1960, he married the love of his life, Rosemary Meyer at St. Patrick’s Church, Carleton, Michigan. Robert’s children are Carolyn (Benjamin) Shipp, Julianne (Mark) Sitterly, Valerie (Thomas) Schnorberger, Christina (John) Taft, and Stephanie (David) Thornton. His grandchildren are Lt. Colonel Marcus Sitterly (Michele), Brenden Shipp, Nick and Joe Schnorberger, Jackson and Sarah Taft, Isabella and Andrew Thornton; and great grandchildren Lake, Rosy and Lily Sitterly. He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Rosemary; siblings, Betty McLaughlin, James (Faye) Vajcner, Gary Vajcner, Diane Vajcner, John (Natasha) Vajcner, Patricia (James) Morgan, Linda (Larry) Miles. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Frank Jr., Thomas, and Richard and grandchildren John Taft IV and Kathryn Taft. Robert was baptized, made his first communion and confirmation at St. Charles Catholic Church, Newport, Michigan. In 1952, he was selected through 4-H and the Michigan Milk Producers Association to attend the National Dairy Cattle Congress in Waterloo, Iowa. In 1954, Bob won the Monroe County 4-H plowing contest, awarding him a lifetime membership to the Monroe County Fair Association. Bob attended Monroe Catholic Central and Monroe High School. In the fall of 1955, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers. He obtained his General Education Diploma and gained experience in heavy earth moving equipment while in the Army. In 1957, as a member of the 801st Engineer Aviation Battalion, he worked in France and Germany. He was then shipped to Bierut, Lebanon with Task Force Charlie and then to Incirlik Air Base at Adana, Turkey. Bob returned to the United States in November 1958. After marrying, he and Rosemary built their new home in which they raised their five daughters. He worked at Dundee Cement Company until retirement. Bob obtained his State of Michigan Residential Builders License. In 1974, he began his employment with Raisinville Township as the building, mechanical, plumbing, and electrical inspector, as well as ordinance enforcer. Bob was one of twelve people in the state of Michigan to hold all five categories of inspection. He was on the board of directors for the State of Michigan for the International Conference of Building Officials for four years. He also was on the International Conference of Mechanical Inspectors Code Development Committee. After leaving Raisinville Township, Bob and Rosemary began farming their land themselves, raising hay and certified grain crops. In 2015, they were awarded the Friend of Conservation Award for Monroe County. Bob attended St. Michael’s Parish since 1946. During that time, he was an usher for 35 years, a lay minister of Holy Communion, on the parish council, administration commission and building committee, working on many projects. Bob and Rosemary traveled extensively. While visiting every state in the union, they took pictures of every state capitol, including Alaska and Hawaii. They also visited all the provinces of Canada and twenty-nine countries around the world. From the time he began working the farm as a young boy and throughout his life, Bob enjoyed woodworking and spending time in the woods on his farm. He enjoyed entertaining friends and family by the pond as well as sharing his knowledge of conservation with the community. Bob was noble, radiant with joy, confident in the proof he sees of life eternal, spiritual, and blessed. He did all things with passion, was greatly loved, and will be missed. Visitation will be held from 2 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, October 25, 2023 at Bacarella Funeral Home, 1201 S. Telegraph Rd., Monroe, with the Rosary at 6:30 p.m.. He will lie instate at 10 a.m. Thursday at St. Michael’s Parish, 502 W. Front St., Monroe with Mass of the Resurrection at 11 a.m. Rev. Kishore Battu, pastor of the church, will officiate. Burial will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park, LaSalle, with military honors by VFW Post 1138, Monroe. Contributions can be made to St. Michael’s Parish and the National Neimann-Pick Disease Foundation, Inc. Online condolences and special memories may be shared with the family by visiting the obituary page at www.bacarellafuneralhome.com.

Robert J. Vajcner

March 22, 1937 - October 20, 2023