Robert Ellis Oberlin, 86, of Shelby, passed away Tuesday, June 18, 2024. He was born January 27, 1938, the son of Lester and Marion (Wylie) Oberlin.

Bob grew up as an only child on his family farm in Shelby, helping his dad with all kinds of fruit harvesting.  They also grew beef, and tended to honeybees, providing pollination services for area farmers and selling honey as well as bee-keeping supplies.  He also joined the US Postal Service as a part-time route carrier, eventually moving into customer service and retired after many years at the "front desk".  After retirement, he became a part-time meat cutter with his family at Mac's Meats in Rothbury, as well as errand runner & delivery driver. 

In his late teens, Bob met a young lady from Northville, MI (the "Big City") when she came to Shelby to visit with a cousin during cherry harvest. They fell in love and eventually married. Her youngest sister Mary also came to visit during the summers, and she met Bob's cousin David Oberlin. They were also married, and the two couples spent a lot of time together over the years. 

Bob & Karen attended Shelby United Methodist Church for many years along with his mom & dad. He also loved music - singing in many choirs, including a hi-faluten choir in Muskegon when they performed Handel's Messiah. Bob also sang in a quartet within his church (nicknamed "The God Squad"), and he also sang solos by special request at multiple churches over the years.

Bob loved to collect things, most notably his stamps.  He learned to appreciate the value of stamp collecting early in his career at the post office, and continued saving many, many stamps even after his retirement. 

Bob didn't travel far from home very many times, with the exception of taking his wife to the Holy Land for 10 days, and a couple of short-term mission trips to India & Colombia with friends.

Bob is survived by: his daughter Cathy (Matt) Gale; four grandchildren, Heather, Chris, Brad, & Sarah; brothers-in-law; sisters-in-law; and several nieces & nephews.

Bob was preceded in death by: his wife, Karen; and one granddaughter, Johanna

Memorial service will be held at 6:00 PM, Sunday, July 14, 2024, at Rothbury Community Church, 2500 West Winston Road, Rothbury, Michigan 49452, with Pastor Luke Craymer officiating. The family will receive friends at 5:00 PM, Sunday, at the church until time of services. 

The Harris Funeral Home, in Shelby, is handling arrangements.

www.harrisfhome.com