Robert “Bob” James Villemure

Bob was born August 30, 1939 in Newberry, son of the late Evar and Ninabelle (Green) Villemure, Bob was a 1958 graduate of Newberry High School.

On November 30, 1961, Bob enlisted into the United States Army serving stateside during the Vietnam War until his honorable discharge on November 29, 1963, attaining the rank of Specialist Fourth Class, and continued in the Army Reserves until November 29, 1967.

On July 23, 1966, Bob married the former Joanne Quinlan at St. Gregory’s Catholic Church, making Newberry their home. Bob owned and operated Villemure Oil Company for 26 years, retiring in 1994.

Bob was an active member of St. Gregory’s Catholic Church, member of American Legion Post #74 and member of Newberry Elks Lodge #1705. An avid outdoorsman, Bob enjoyed deer hunting, partridge hunting and going to camp. He was also a devoted Newberry High School sports fan and also of the Detroit Lions, Detroit Tigers and the University of Michigan sports.

In addition to his parents, Bob is preceded in death by his loving wife, Joanne, on May 17, 2025, grandson Kent Robert Bodi in 2000 and siblings Eve Chamberlain in 2014 and Celeste Rubick in 2024.

Survivors include his loving daughters Michelle “Shelly” (Bill) Rushford of Curtis and Melissa “Missy” (Gary “Stuey”) Olivier of Marquette; grandchildren Jamie (Dustin Auge) Rushford, Brett (Kassie) Rushford, Marissa Rushford, Blake (Bill) McAlpine and Kraig (Alanah Saldana) Bodi; great-grandchildren Camden Auge, Cooper Auge, Hadley Auge, Kaiden Rushford, Bristol Rushford, Carson Kennedy, Aubrey McAlpine and Mallory McAlpine; siblings Joseph (Becky) Villemure of Petoskey and Cathy (Tom) Harrington of Indianapolis, Indiana; brother-in-law Tim (Donna) Quinlan of Newberry; sisters-in-law Barbara (Lou) Bennett of Newberry and Alice Quinlan of Newberry; several nieces and nephews.

A gathering of family and friends will take place Friday February 20, 2026 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at St. Gregory’s Catholic Church in Newberry. A Mass of Christian Burial celebrating the life of Bob will follow at 1:00 pm at the church with Fr. Jacek Wtyklo officiating. Rite of Committal with military honors rendered by the American Legion Post #74 and the United States Army Honor Guard will take place in the spring of 2026 at Forest Home Cemetery.

Memorials may be directed to the annual kids tackle party in care of the Luce County Community That Cares coalition or to the Newberry High School girls basketball program in his loving memory.

Condolences may be expressed at beaulieufuneralhome.com Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry is assisting the family.