SPARTA, MI - Russel W. Roback, age 89, formerly of Adrian, passed away, Thursday, July 30, 2009 at Meadowlark Home in Sparta, Michigan.

Russel was born January 7, 1920, in Beaverton, MI, the son of Harry and Sophia (McKimmy) Roback. During World War II, he served his country in the United States Army Air Force.

On November 11, 1950, Russel married Lillian ‘Bobbi’ Rowley in Angola, Indiana. Russel and Bobbi celebrated 49 years of marriage prior to her death in 1999.

Russel retired from the General Motors plant in Tecumseh in 1985. He served as a Lenawee County Commissioner for ten years and also as a Lenawee County Road Commissioner for six years.

Russel was very active with the UAW, serving as the International Representative, the President in Ypsilanti at the Willow Run Plant, and Chairman of the Tecumseh GM Plant where he later retired. He was a 32nd Degree Mason, a Shriner, and a lifetime member of the Loyal Order of the Moose. He was also a member of the Eagles, the VFW, Annis Fint Post #1584 and the American Legion. Russel served on the Lenawee United Way board for many years and also the National Council of Senior Citizens.

Russel is survived by his daughter, Jackie (Jim) Davis of Greenville, MI; a grandson, Jack L. Remmele, Jr.; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his wife, Bobbi, he was preceded in death by his second wife, Donna; two sisters, Colleen Cech and Vivian Knapp and two brothers, Howard Roback and Lauren Rohrbach.

The funeral service for Russel will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, August 3, 2009 at Wagley Funeral Home with Pastor Lawrence LaFollette officiating and military honors conducted by VFW Annis Fint Post #1584. Burial will be private. Friends may visit the family at the funeral home on Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.wagleyfuneralhome.com. Contributions in memory of Russel may be made to Moslem Temple Shriners Hospital or Multiple Sclerosis Life Lines. Envelopes are available at Wagley Funeral Home.

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Russel W Roback