Robert Howard O'Toole

Robert Howard O’Toole, age 99, passed away peacefully at home with his family by his side on September 10, 2024. He was born January 23, 1925, in Flint, MI to Robert and Harriet O’Toole. He graduated from Beecher High School in 1943, served in World War II as a bombardier and was honorably discharged from the Army Air Corps in 1945. Robert was then employed at Buick and retired in 1976. Robert lived life to the fullest; he was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, telling tales with friends and family at the cabin, trips to the casino and Detroit Lions football. He was a jack of all trades, there was nothing he could not fix. He married Mary Rowan on September 27, 1975, and they spent over 30 years wintering in the warm Florida sunshine at Bonita Terra in Bonita Springs, FL. Robert had many friends and loved poker nights in Bonita. Together, with their blended family of six daughters, Donna (John) Mantei, Karen Weaver, Carol (Rick) Sekrenes, Cheryl (David) Szecsodi, Martha (Dana) Gray, and Mary (Rick) Penrod, he was a proud grandfather to 19 grandchildren, and many great and great-great grandchildren and was always the first to share an ice cream with them. Robert never met a baby that he didn’t love immediately, and the feeling was always mutual. Preceding him in death were his parents, Robert and Harriet, his three sisters, Ruth Kendall, Norma Foether, Frances Fortenberry, granddaughter Christine Sweers, and great-granddaughter Bailee Mantei. Robert is survived by his loving family, wife Mary, his daughters, Donna, Karen, Carol, Cheryl, and Mary’s daughters, Martha and Mary, his grandchildren, great and great-great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Funeral Services will be held at 11 AM Friday, September 13, 2024, at St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church, 310 N. Cherry St, Flushing, MI with Rev. Fr. Brian Lenz officiating. Visitation will be held 2-8 PM Thursday, September 12, 2024, at Sharp Funeral Homes, Miller Road Chapel, 8138 Miller Rd., Swartz Creek, MI 48473 where a scripture service will be prayed at 6:30 PM Thursday. Visitation will also be held 10 AM - 11 AM Friday at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donation to the Flushing Christian Outreach Center. Tributes may be shared at www.sharpfuneralhomes.com