Barry Robinson

Barry Melvin Robinson passed peacefully at home on December 16, 2016 with his family by his side.

Barry was born March 21, 1939 to Melvin and Arlene (Barry) Robinson at their home in Sparta, Michigan.

Barry graduated from Sparta High School with the class of 1957 and received a Bachelors Degree from Michigan State University in 1966 and became a Certified Public Accountant.

Barry spent his early years on the family farm in Sparta Michigan before working at Michigan National Bank in Grand Rapids.  He later transferred to the Lansing Branch.  Years later Barry started working for Warren-Teed Pharmacutical Company as a drug salesman out of  Columbus, Ohio.  Barry worked there for 6 years before moving into the contact lens business.  After 6 months working for Wesley Jessen Contacts Barry went into business for himself as the owner of Internatonal Lens Inc. for 8 years.  In 1972 his dream of owning and purchasing his own farm came true. After 30 years of dairy farming, Barry retired in 2002. Since then he has enjoyed life with his family and friends especially driving his Kubota with Anna, Jaimie and other children and spending time at the lake farm

Barry was a devoted husband to Ella Baker Robinson for 24 years.

He is survived by his wife Ella, children; Mark (Lara) Robinson of St. Simons Island, GA, Scot (Carolyn) Glass of Chandler, AZ, Anna Robinson (Sam Belobradich) of Alma, MI, Billie Jo (Wesley) Davis of Riverdale, MI, Jennifer (Lyle) Nelson of St. Louis, MI, his grandchildren; Justin Robinson, Clayton Glass, Owen Glass, Sie Davis, Jake Davis, Amanda Gillespie, Bill Nohel and 5 great grandchildren; brother Edward (Bonnie) Robinson of Sparta MI, and sister Gayle (Leland) Eztler of Woodburn IN.  Barry was proceed in death by his parents, grandparents and son Jeff.

A special thank you to Compassus Hospice and Barry's special nursing team, Palliative Care Worker Christine & Tennille, his special friend Jack Kapustka, and his Canadian Brotherhood.

A memorial will be held on Tuesday December 27, 2016 at 1:30 P.M. on his farm.

In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to Relay for Life of Gratiot County, Compassus Hospice of Lansing, and St. Judes Childrens Hospital.  Online condolences can be sent to www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Ithaca, MI.