Robert Joseph Pepin

Robert (Chisel) was born Jan. 2, 1925, in Gladstone, the son of Antone and Eva (Fournier) Pepin.

Robert was united in marriage to Elaine Gagnon on Oct. 19, 1947. Together the couple raised their seven children at their family homestead in Flat Rock for the past 57 years. Robert and Elaine (age 90) resided together in their family home until this past year.

Robert was drafted in the United States Navy in 1943 and served during World War II on the USS Idaho in the South Pacific. He later received the Military Order of the Purple Heart for the combat wounded.

Robert was a local union painter for the majority of his career in industrial, commercial and residential settings. He spent his later career and early retirement painting many homes in the Escanaba and Gladstone area. He was very hard working and always looking to make extra money. His side hobbies were buying and selling scrap metals and antiques. It was usual to find him in the woods on his tractor where he was in his best place. Either cutting firewood for the family homestead or a few cords of pulpwood, sometimes catching him hauling a stick of cordwood out of the woods on his shoulder. He loved the outdoors.

Robert Pepin

Robert was raised in Gladstone. “The Buckeye,” along with his eight siblings by their widowed mother Eva.

Robert’s father Antone passed away at the young age of 36 due to illness.

Robert enjoyed playing organized city sports in his younger years. He also played hockey for the Gladstone Indians. He told many stories of growing up in the “Buckeye” of Gladstone.

Anyone who knew Robert or spent any time with him knew he loved to tell stories and always made you laugh. He loved singing in the car when traveling and playing jokes on his children and grandchildren. He especially looked forward to the Pepin family Christmas where everyone would take a hayride through the family homestead and celebrate around a large bonfire he prepared for weeks.

Robert and Elaine enjoyed dancing together and were very good at it. When they were on the dancefloor it was typical for the floor to clear while friends and family stood by and cheered. A second favorite pastime for Robert was ice fishing. He spent many winter days off Gladstone on Little Bay De Noc catching “jumbo” perch and walleye.

In addition to his loving wife of 72 years, Elaine Pepin, he is survived by: four sons, Raymond Pepin of Rapid River, Richard Pepin of Masonville, Mich., Patrick (Christine) Pepin of Escanaba, Bruce (Joan Casanova) Pepin of Iron Mountain; three daughters, Betty Calouette of Rapid River, Shirley (Tom) Mackey of Niagara, Wis., Rosemary (Tim) Driver of Helderberg, N.Y.; 15 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In addition to his parents, Robert was preceded in death by four brothers; four sisters; three grandchildren; a son-in-law: John Calouette; and his dog: Rusty.

Family will receive friends from 2 to 4 p.m. Eastern time Friday, Jan. 24 at the Skradski Funeral Home in Gladstone.

Military Honors will be presented at 4 p.m. by the Gladstone American Legion.

The Skradski Family Funeral Homes of Delta County are assisting the Pepin Family.

Please visit www.skradskifuneralhomes.com where you can leave a message of condolence to the family.