Ishpeming- Robert E."Bob" Zaiki, age 85 of Ishpeming passed away Monday, June 15,
2015 in the loving care of his family.

Robert was born March 6, 1930 in Iron River to the late Victor and Martha (Krueger) Zaiki. Bob attended local schools and received an honorary degree from Michigan Tech. He moved his family to Ishpeming in 1972. He worked for CCI, retiring in 1992 from the Empire Mine
as a maintenance supervisor.

Bob enjoyed volunteering and helping others. Through St. Vincent De Paul he spent time on a mission trip to Honduras where he touched the lives of the people there. He trained with the Red Cross in Washington DC on disasters and with this he helped forest fire victims in Oregon and flood victims because of Hurricane Katrina. Closer to home found him helping
out the Bell Hospital Lifeline Program and the coffee cart.


Family was very important to him. He loved his Ford tractor and would take his kids and
grandchildren on really bumpy, wild tractor rides on the farm in Iron River every Family Octoberfest.

He was an enthusiast of new adventures – even taking up painting just this last year! He loved to rock out with the accordion and piano - entertaining many generations of music lovers. His creativity in the kitchen brought about new breakfast creations to wow all his grandchildren ranging from ice cream on oatmeal to gourmet chili cheese omelets!

Bob is survived by his wife, Elaine A. (King) Zaiki, whom he married on August 16,1952,
5 children: Chris (Rodger) Brzezinski of Gladstone, Kathy (Brian) Greenman of
Big Rapids, Don (Suzi) Zaiki of Green Lake, WI, Jerry (Cindy) Zaiki of Almont,
and Tammy (Jeff) Wunder of Ishpeming, 16 grandchildren: Amy Odgers, Kevin
Brzezinski, Aaron Brzezinski, Matt Walter, Kelly Grinn, Megan Hansen, Mark
Zaiki, Jessie Zaiki, Heather Dales, Jeremy Zaiki, Robert Zaiki, Kristen Zaiki,
Todd Wunder, Mike Wunder, and Nick Wunder, and 10 great-grandchildren. He was
proceeded in death by a granddaughter Karen Mondrella.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 am on Saturday, June 20th at St.
Joseph Catholic Church in Ishpeming with Father Dan Moll officiating. St.
Vincent De Paul Society will conduct their memorial service prior to the
mass.

The family will greet relatives and friends from 10:00 until time
of service on Saturday at St. Joseph Catholic Church where the rosary will be
recited at 9:45.

Internment will take place at the Rest haven Cemetery in Iron River on Saturday after the mass. Military honors will be conducted by the West Side Veterans.

Pallbearers will be Bob's grandsons.


The funeral service recording, when it becomes available, can be found here .