Robert 'Bob' Valleau Jr.

Robert 'Bob' Valleau Jr. 76 of Indian River, died Friday, January 27, 2017.

A resident of Indian River since 1984, was born on October 28, 1940 the son of Robert James and Veronica Marie (Endres) Valleau.

He graduated from St. Francis High School where he met his wife, Sandra Kay Bellaw. They were married August 8, 1959. Their daughter, Claudette joined the family in 1964.

During his younger years he played baseball thru school and on to Independents for Elmwood Twp. and coached little league for 10 years.

He belonged to Elmwood Twp. Fire Department for 27 years; where he was Assistant Fire Chief for 11 years. He also was on the Northwestern Volunteer Fire Association.

Bob was a member of the Knights of Columbus since 1963; where he was honored to the Grand Knight and Knight of the Year at Council 1213 in Traverse City.

He was employed by Dixon Distributing for 20 years, then moving to Indian River where he and his wife purchased the Star Gate Motel and successfully ran it until 1994. During his ownership of the motel he and his wife helped start the Indian River Tourist Bureau, Northwestern Trails Council, Indian River Snowmobile Council and helped get the railroad grade for snowmobiling from Hawks to Cheboygan. He loved outdoor activates, including hunting and fishing with his family. He took special pride in his lawn.

He was active in his church at St. Monica in Afton and Cross in the Woods in Indian River.

Bob is survived by his wife, Sandy; daughter, Claudette (Dana) Spencley; granddaughters, Krista and Sandra; two great-grandchildren; brother, William (Linda) Valleau; sisters, Barbara Calvary, Betty (Les) Morden and Marsha (Duane) Snyder.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Cremation has taken place. A Funeral Mass will be held 11am, Friday, February 3, 2017 at the Cross in the Wood Catholic Church, Indian River. The family will greet friend starting at 10am.

An informal gathering with the family will be held in Traverse City on Monday, February 6, 2017, from 4pm to 7pm at the Life Story Funeral Home, Traverse City.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the Cross of the Woods Catholic Church, Indian River or Hospice of the Straits, Cheboygan. Please visit www.lifestorytc.com to sign the guest book, view photos and share thoughts and memories with the family.