Robert I. Belanger

Robert “Bob” was born in Hermansville on March 30, 1944, son of the late John and Florence (Gibour) Belanger of Hermansville. 

Bob was a 1962 graduate of Hermansville High School and a 1991 graduate of the Oakland Police Academy, where he was fondly labeled “Old Man Yooper” by his much younger, college aged, classmates. 

He married Marie Flessati on June 29, 1963, at St. Barbara Catholic Church in Vulcan.    

Bob worked for Allis Chambers in Waukegan, Ill., the Iron Mountain News, the Dickinson County Road Commission, and the City of Norway Fire and Police Departments. He worked for the City of Norway fire and police departments for 24 years before retiring from the police department in December of 1997.

Bob was a member of St. Barbara Catholic Church in Vulcan. 

He enjoyed collecting model trains, hunting, motorcycle riding, riding his side by side, tinkering with his tractor and spending time with his wife at their home on Hamilton Lakes.

Bob is survived by his wife, Marie of 57 years; son, Dan Belanger (Lisa Lindt) of Lombard, Ill., daughter, Jean Belanger (Bill Polazzo) of Hamilton Lakes, daughter, Kathy Belanger of Norway; grandsons, Nickolas Belanger (Nicole), and Samuel Belanger; mother-in-law, Laura Flessati; a brother, John Belanger of Kenosha Wis., and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Larry Belanger, his father-in-law, Joseph Flessati, and a sister-in-law, Rita Belanger.

The Belanger family would like to thank the medical staffs at Dickinson County Healthcare System and the U.P. Health System of Marquette for caring for Bob after his fall.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, May 30 from 9 to 10 a.m. at St. Barbara Catholic Church in Vulcan.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday at 10 a.m. at St. Barbara Catholic Church with Fr. Timothy Ekaitis officiating.

Interment will follow at the Norway Township Cemetery.

Condolences to family of Bob may be expressed online at www.ortmanfuneralhome.com

Arrangements announced by the Ortman Funeral Home in Norway.