Robert Allen Skaryd, Sr.

     Robert Allen Skaryd, Sr., age 79, of Elsie, MI, passed away Thursday, November 2, 2023 at his home.

     Funeral Services will be held at Bannister United Methodist Church, Bannister, MI at 11:00 A.M. on Monday, November 6, 2023 with Rev. Zella Daniel officiating. Burial will take place at Riverside Cemetery, Elsie, MI. Visitation will be held on Sunday, November 5, 2023 from

2-8 P.M. at Smith Family Funeral Homes Elsie, MI.

     Robert was born in Elsie, MI on September 12, 1944, the son of John  and Mamie (Kubinger) Skaryd.  He was a graduate of Elsie High School with the Class of 1963.  On October 8, 1966 he married Linda Kay Huntoon at Bannister United Methodist Church, they just celebrated 57 years of marriage together.

     Robert retired from General Motors in 1995. He was a member of the Elsie Lions Club.  In his earlier years he was into archery and won many trophies.  Robert made arrows for the local Cub Scouts achievement awards.  He loved yard work and was very particular about how his yard looked.  Robert restored his father's tractor and was very proud to own it. He loved working on his parent's farm in Bannister when he was young and his own farm in later years.  Recycling metal and steel was a favorite pastime.  Robert worked at their family owned flower nursery.  He was an all around handyman. Robert was recently honored at Bannister United Methodist Church as an Emeritus after 40 years of service to the church. He helped Linda over the years at different churches when doing the accounting and reports. In 2019, he was honored at the Bannister ZCBJ Lodge for 75 years of membership. Robert always had a love of animals, especially his cat Samantha that took naps with him and his outside cat Pumpkin who visited with Robert a lot.  He was an avid Nascar fan and always looked forward to watching the races. Robert and Linda vacationed in Hawaii four times, which they loved the time there so much they took their grandchildren twice.

     He is survived by his wife Linda Skaryd of Elsie, MI; son Robert and Becky Skaryd, Jr. of Elsie, MI; daughter Teresa and James Beden of Owosso, MI;  2 grandchildren:  Elizabeth Ann Skaryd and Shaylyn (Sawyer) Coleman; 2 great-grandchildren:  Wesley and Hadley Coleman; brothers: Gearold and Lena Marie Skaryd of Ashley, MI,

David and Yong Skaryd of Lansing, MI; sisters: Barbara Galehouse  and Norm Martin of Ovid, MI, Mary-Sue "Suzie" Travis of DeWitt, MI; many nieces and nephews. Robert was preceded in death by his parents, brother John Skaryd, brother-in-law CT Travis, nephews John and Richard Micka.

     In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Elsie Lions Club or Bannister United Methodist Church. Online condolences can be sent to www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie, MI.