John David Roberts

John (Dave) D. Roberts, age 82, of Ocala, Florida, and formerly Shelby Township, Michigan, passed away of Covid-19 on Monday, December 7, 2020. He was born in Oswego, New York, on March 21, 1938, the son of Lyle Roberts and Geraldine Roberts née Shantz. He graduated from Mount Clemens High School in 1956. He entered the US Army in July of 1956, and completed Basic Training in Fort Hood, Texas. He was a member of the Signal Corp and spent over two years in West Germany. He received an Honorable Discharge in 1959 from the US Army that he had great respect for and returned to Mt. Clemens, Michigan—where he began a career in banking and met the love of his life, Helen Kay Herzog. They were married on April 21, 1962. Dave and Helen were happily married for 58 years. Dave loved his family and many friends. They were also members of the Troy Seventh-Day Adventist Church. He enjoyed boating on the many lakes in Michigan, especially Lake St. Clair.  They later moved to Ocala, Florida, to enjoy the warm weather and make many new friends.

Dave and Helen have three sons: John (Kathleen) Roberts of St. Johns, Michigan; Michael Roberts and his partner Paul Gwilt of Denver, Colorado; Thomas (Sara) Roberts of Grosse Pointe, Michigan, and grandchildren James, William, Rebecca, and David Roberts. Dave is survived by his wife, children, and grandchildren, also his brothers Perry Roberts of Shelby Township, Michigan; William Thomas and Joseph Thomas of Columbus Township, Michigan; and many nieces and nephews.  He is preceded in death by his parents, his stepmother Elizabeth Roberts of Mount Clemens, and siblings, Thomas Roberts of California, James Roberts of San Diego, California, Donald Thomas of Warwick, Rhode Island, and Diane Ehrke of Macomb Township, Michigan. 

It is the family’s plan to have a Celebration of Life this summer after the Covid-19 pandemic is in a more controlled state. Memorial contributions can be made in Dave’s honor to the Wounded Warrior Foundation.