Auw, Robert Edward Robert Edward Auw, age 88 of White Cloud, passed away Thursday, May 24, 2007 at his home following a short illness. Bob was born on September 2, 1918 in White Cloud to Nicholas and Tecla (Zobel) Auw and graduated from White Cloud High School. Bob joined the United States Army Air Corps in 1942 where he served as an aircraft dispatcher at Merced Flying School and later in the Philippines. After his discharge, Bob returned to White Cloud and married Mary Nowak on June 22, 1946 in White Cloud where they lived all their lives. Bob had worked as a printer/typesetter for the White Cloud Eagle for many years and later became a real estates sales representative working for Cal Dietz and Al Rice until his retirement in 1981. After retirement, Bob started a long career of woodcarving and story writing. His larger woodcarvings include a full size merry-go-round horse and 144 mantelpieces now in homes throughout Michigan. He also began writing stories about some of his memories in the White Cloud area and eventually the stories turned into 6 books that provide much pleasure and information to many Newaygo County residents. Bob was a lifelong servant of the Lord at the St. Joseph Catholic Church in White Cloud where he served as a Eucharistic minister to many homebound members of the church until past his 88th birthday. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus and was currently the Post Commander of the White Cloud V.F.W. He is survived by his children, Bill (Laural) Auw of White Cloud; Joanne (Mike) Chandler of White Cloud; his grandchildren and great grandchildren, Heather (Jeff) Shuster and daughter, Abbygail Elizabeth of Cadillac; Nick (Amanda) Auw and daughter and son, Kelsi and Aaron of White Cloud; his grandson-in-law, Forrest (Heather) Couch and daughter, Madeline of Newaygo; many nieces and nephews. Bob was preceded in death by his wife, Mary on April 28, 1997; by his grand daughter, Kristy Auw Couch on November 30, 1993; his sisters, Florence, Alma, and Grace and by his brothers, Donald and Raymond. Funeral Mass Services were held on Wednesday, May 30, 2007 at the St. Joseph Catholic Church in White Cloud with Rev. Father Tony Russo presiding with interment and military rites at the St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in White Cloud. Friends are asked to consider Kristy Auw Couch Scholarship Fund at the Fremont Area Community Foundation, St. Joseph Catholic Church Building Fund or Heartland Hospice for memorial contributions in memory of Bob. Friends may post a condolence or share a memory with the Auw family online at www.crandellfh.com. Arrangements by Crandell Funeral Home White Cloud Chapel. Click here to post a condolence or memory of Robert E. Auw on-line Your family is in our thoughts and prayers. Wishing you Gods peace. The Wayne Veenstra Family Posted 5/25/07 My heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Donna ( Grosbeck) Van Gessel Posted 5/25/07 Bob is indeed one of the special in my life. He taught me so much about the Catholic church, especially the importance of serving others in the name of the Lord. I remember, too, when he took the time to explain all about typesetting and printing when I would visit the Eagle office to drop off my columns for the weekly paper while in high school. He encouraged my writing and has impacted my life in many positive ways, He is a wonderful mentor and I will miss him dearly. Please know you are all in my prayers and I have no doubt that he will now rest in peace in heaven with his beloved wife Mary and with the Lord he served. Well done, Good and Faithful Servant. Ferol Borkowski Posted 5/25/07 Bob will be missed by the many who knew and loved him. Bob was a long time member of the Newaygo County Society of History and Genealogy and will be missed greatly. Our prayers and thoughts are with the family at this time of loss. Newaygo County Society of History and Genealogy Posted 5/29/07 Bob was my right hand man. If I needed any information, one call and I had it. I researched most of the history for the book coming out this summer. I gave Bob the chronology and he wrote the story. His story about the coffee smuggling will also be in the book. History of White Cloud will sorely miss Bob and so will I. Love and prayers, Pam Miller White Cloud Library Newaygo Co Historical Society Posted 5/30/07 Our thoughts and prayers are with the family. We will miss our long time friend and neighbor ! What a blessing to have known Bob. LeRoy and Hope Stratton Posted 5/30/07 I met Bob about 20 years ago at a craft show. I loved his wood carvings, but was really impressed with the man who carved them. Bob was one of the most gentle, quiet, and sincere men I have ever met. Most of the 144 mantles Bob carved were for our customers. They all loved the mantles and the man who carved them. Bob always told me ( you have to know and study the animal before you can carve one that looks real) This is true of Bobs faith as well ( You have to know the Lord and study His word in order to reflect Him in your life) I have many of Bobs carvings in my homes, they are even more precious to me now and I smile and remember our times together. Bob and Mary always took the time to visit and share. Bob shared his near death experiences with me and said God told him to go back because He was not ready for him yet. Bob this is the day you were longing for when we last spoke. Your friend, Jim Bursma Posted 6/1/07 _______________________________________________________________________ I wish to convey our Deepest Sympathy and prayers to your family, with the loss of your Father, grandfather, friend and Highly Respected member of our Community. Bob's final days were a difficult journey and now he is in Glory where pain no longer exists, He is home Mary and Our Divine Savior. May Our Lord keep your family in the arms of comfort during your grieving process. Ms. Kit Snow NEWAYGO ARMED FORCES FAMILY SUPPORT GROUP WE SUPPORT OUR TROOPS WITHOUT THEM, WE LOSE OUR FREEDOMS! GOD BLESS AMERICA! Posted 6/1/07 _______________________________________________________________________