Robert Paksi

     Robert Paksi, age 87, of Ashley, MI, passed away Friday, February 3, 2023, at Sparrow Hospital, Lansing, MI.

     Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie, MI, 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday, February 7, 2023, with Mr. Thomas J. Bradley officiating.  Burial will take place at Ford Cemetery, Elsie, MI. Visitation will be held on Monday, February 6, 2023, from 5:00-8:00 P.M. at the funeral home. 

     Robert was born in Michigan on June 3, 1935, the son Adam and Anna  (Vanlick) Paksi.  He was a graduate of Ashley High School with the class of 1953.  On June 11, 1955, he married Charlotte E. St. John in Owosso, MI.  He was employed by Kent Implement in his teenage years and many years later purchased the business from Max & Bob Kent and later renamed Paksi Tractor Repair.  He especially enjoyed the visits from area farmers and towns’ people; he took pride in being responsible for the maintenance of the Ashley School busses.

     Robert was passionate about deer hunting camp, enjoyed hunting and fishing on the Great Lakes.  His yard looking nice and keeping his vehicles clean and running well were very important to him.  Bob and Charlotte planted petunias every year in their yard and he was very proud of them. In early years, they took yearly family vacations at Lake City, MI and they enjoyed water skiing.  Robert was especially proud of his slalom skiing. He was an avid MSU Basketball fan. 

     Robert served on the Gratiot Isabella Board of Education (RESD) in Ithaca for twenty-nine years, serving as president for many of those years.  There is a conference room dedicated in his name at the RESD Office.  He also served on the Ashley Board of Education for many years.  Robert raised his own beef on their small farm at their home in Ashley which he was very proud of. Above everything, he loved spending time with his family, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. 

     He is survived by his wife Charlotte Paksi of Ashley, MI; daughter Lorraine and Otis Viles of Ashley, MI; son Robert Paksi Jr. of Elsie, MI; daughter Juliann and Lynn Garvie of Harrison, MI; daughter Dianne and Happy Meadows of Maysville, GA; grandchildren: Otis (Jane) Viles, Brandon Viles, and Austin Ireland; great-grandchildren: Olivia Viles and Gatlin Viles; sister-in-law Mary Ann Paksi of Lansing, MI.  Robert is also survived by many nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents, infant daughter Terry Paksi, siblings: Steve (Julia) Paksi, Joe (Violet) Paksi, Tom (Mary) Paksi, John Paksi, Ann (Lon) Green, and Ed Paksi.

     Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital or Ashley FFA. Online condolences can be sent to www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie, Michigan.