Ronald LeRoy Robart

Ronald LeRoy Robart, age 86, formerly of Spring Arbor, MI, finished his life of service to the Lord and entered his eternal home on Wednesday, December 2, 2020. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend to many.

Ronald was born near Big Rapids, MI on August 29, 1934 to LeRoy and Arletha (Hayes) Robart. Ron’s father LeRoy soon felt the call to be a minister which led the family to relocate often. Ron attended elementary school in Zeeland, MI. He attended Spring Arbor High School and Junior College and then transferred to Greenville College to finish his degree in Secondary Education in History. At Greenville, Ron met Marion Smith and they got married on March 29, 1958. Several years later Valerie and Vaughn were born. After graduating, Ron took a history teaching position along with coaching basketball in Flint and then Hazel Park. While in Ferndale, Ron completed a master’s degree at Wayne State, but then he felt called to attend Asbury Theological Seminary. After graduating from seminary, he took a position as minister of youth and music at the First Free Methodist Church in Phoenix, Arizona. Two years later, Ron and Marion signed up to be VISA missionaries in the Philippines. That assignment lasted for 2 years but resulted in a lifelong love for the people and country, making many lasting friendships. Ron and Marion returned to the Philippines multiple times over the years to serve and Ron considered Butuan City to be his second home. After the first VISA appointment, Ron took a job as an admissions counselor for Greenville College while living in Aurora, IL. He then returned to Asbury Seminary in Wilmore, KY as the Athletic Director. At the age of 40, Ron felt a second call on his life to enter full time Christian ministry, following in his father’s footsteps. He took his first church appointment with the Free Methodist Church in Bowling Green, KY. From there he pastored Free Methodist churches in Coldwater, MI; Indianapolis, IN; Sugar Grove, PA; and Columbus, OH. In 2000, Ron retired and decided to settle in Spring Arbor, MI where he served as a trustee on the board of Spring Arbor University for many years and pastored after retirement at the Pulaski Free Methodist Church and at the First Baptist Church in Jackson, MI. In 2016, Ron and Marion moved to Jenison, MI to be closer to Valerie.

Ron was an avid sports fan but was especially passionate about golf, basketball, and football. He loved to travel and had friends around the world. He was also a member of a male quartet that originated at Greenville College but continued over many years until retirement.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents LeRoy and Arletha (Hayes) Robart and his siblings Darwin and Dawn. He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Marion Joyce Smith Robart; daughter Valerie (Roger) Conley of Hudsonville, MI; son Vaughn (Regina) Robart of Greenville, IL; grandchildren, Melissa (Tom) Mervenne of Byron Center, MI; Lee “Brian” Conley of Kendallville, IN; Logan (Jennifer) Robart of St. Louis, MO; Haven Robart of St. Louis, MO; Simeon Robart of Greenville, IL; 2 great grandchildren Remington and Dashiell Mervenne; his brother Paul (Barbara) Robart; his best friend and brother-in-law Sid Chapman, many nieces and nephews, and other extended family and friends. The family wants to give a special thank you to Ronald’s caretakers, Jodi Ohman, Lori McPeck and Barb Postma for their loving care and support in recent years along with the great support he received from American House, specifically the Cherrywood staff.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, December 12, 2020 at the Spring Arbor Free Methodist Church, 120 E. Main St., Spring Arbor, MI. Masks and social distancing will be required.

The family welcomes memories and messages in their online guestbook at www.cookcaresgrandville.com. Memorial contributions may be made in Ronald’s name to the Free Methodist World Missions - Philippines. https://give.fmcusa.org/donation/memorial-giving