Robert Valentine

Born February 8, 1922 to Max and Katie Valentine of Millington.  Bob graduated from Millington High School in 1940.  He later joined the US Marine Corps shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941.  He served as a corporal and machine gun non-commissioned officer in the First Marine Division. He served in the Pacific arena in battles at Gaudalcanal and Pelilieu and was awarded a Purple Heart and other citations for his service.  He was honorably discharged from the Marine Corps and returned to Millington.  He married Doris Seelye in May of 1946 and they later moved to the Detroit area.  Bob taught math at the Detroit College of Applied Sciences for many years and he and Doris settled in Berkley, Michigan.  Bob eventually took a job as a sales representative for the Alemite Corporation which brought him and Doris and their daughter Kathy back to Millington in 1969.

While in Millington Bob was very active in the community he loved.  He acquired a real estate license and worked part time as a real estate agent for McLeod Realty.  He was a long time member of the Millington Lions Club and he and Doris were members of the Millington United Methodist Church. He served on the Millington Village Council, eventually serving as President of the Council. While on the council, Bob worked hard to secure grants for an industrial park that eventually came to fruition on the north end of town.

In retirement, Bob found a passion to do other things in the Community.  He worked for the Millington Herald for a time in ad sales as he loved to go out in the community and talk to the business owners.  His real passion was realized when he and Doris became founding members of the Millington Arbela Historical Society.  They worked together to help build the Society and acquire the museum that now houses the rich history of the community that he grew up in and loved so much.  Bob served as co-chair of the Historical Society before moving to Birmingham to be closer to his daughter and her family.

Bob had many hobbies and interests.  He loved to golf and enjoyed his Wednesday traveling golf league with the guys for many years.  He and Doris also enjoyed bowling and were part of a league in Bridgeport for many years.  Bob was an avid gardener and loved working in his garden and his yard.  In the last few years Bob found a passion for painting and even taught a class at Brookdale in Troy where he lived for the last few years.  Perhaps his greatest love was attending the many sporting and school events of his beloved grandchildren.  They would swear that Papa was their good luck charm.

Bob is preceded in death by his wife Doris, parents Max and Katie Valentine, brother Charles and sister Ruth Jones .  He is survived by his daughter Kathy, her husband Terry and his beloved grandchildren, Kayla and Nick.

The family would like to invite family and friends to Hanlin Funeral Home in Millington, Mi on Monday February 10, 2020 from 3:00 to 8:00pm.  The funeral will be Tuesday February 11, 2020 at the Millington United Methodist Church at 11:00am with a time of visiting before the funeral starting at 10:00am. In lieu of flowers please feel free to make a donation to the Millington Historical Society or charity of your choice.

Hanlin Funeral Home

Serving Since 1928