Robert (Bob) J. Skiera of Manistee passed from this life into eternal life on Thursday, December 31st at his home. With him at his passing were his wife, daughter, and son in-law. His death followed a short battle with Kidney Cancer.

He was born at home on January 4, 1938 to Joseph A. and Mary Ann (Kozlowski) Skiera. He was the youngest of their five children. Bob attended Saint Joseph Schools from Kindergarten through High School, graduating with the class of 1956. Following graduation he began working as a carpenter with his older brother Tony, a trade he excelled in throughout his life. At the age of sixteen he met and fell in love with his future wife, Shirley (Shifflet). They were married on January 17, 1959 at Saint Mary's Parish in Manistee. They would have celebrated their 57th anniversary in January of 2016. He was a lifelong member of Saint Joseph Parish (The Catholic Community of Manistee). Bob was very involved with his children and their many activities over the years. He attended more sporting events then he could begin to count, was Cub master for Troop 120 for 12 years and a member of the Jaycees. He enjoyed the outdoors, loved to fish and hunt and in recent years took daily rides to check out the lakes and rivers and to make sure all was well around town. A lasting legacy, in addition to his family, will be the many homes he built in the area.

He is survived by his wife Shirley, sons Mark (Sally) of Bristol, TN, David (Lynn) of Clancy, MT, Paul (Dawne) of Naples, FL, daughter Ann (Richard) Morehouse of Manistee. Grandchildren, Josh (Sara) Schubert, Courtney (Chris) Skiera-Vaughn, Luke (Katie) Skiera, Nicholas Skiera, Gabriel Skiera, Devin Skiera, Rachael Skiera, Kelsey (Chris) McEarchern, Brittney Workinger, Dylan Morehouse, Ethan Morehouse, and great grand-daughter Penny Ann Schubert, who brought him much joy. Also surviving is his sister Helen Glocheski, sister-in-law Judy Racine and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers and sisters' in-law, Anthony and Ruth Skiera, John (Jack) and Cecelia Skiera, his sister and brother in-law, Susan and Raymond Nowak and his brother in-law, Chester Glocheski, his mother in-law, Marion Crawford and brother in-law, Glen Racine.

Mass from The Order of Christian Funerals will be celebrated Wednesday, January 6, 2016 at 11:00 AM at Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Manistee with Reverend Richard Schaeffer celebrant. Burial will follow at Mount Carmel cemetery also in Manistee.

Relatives and friends will pray the Evening Vigil Service at 8:00 PM at the Herbert Funeral Home in Manistee on Tuesday evening, January 5, 2016. The family will be at the funeral home to receive friends, on Tuesday evening from 6:00 to 9:00 PM and at the church on Wednesday morning one hour prior to the funeral Mass.

Memorials will be established in Bob's name for the Matthew 25:35 Food Pantry and for the Catholic Community of Manistee Bereavement Ministry Library. Envelopes are available at the funeral home and will be at the church on Wednesday morning.

The Herbert Funeral Home of Manistee is in charge of funeral arrangements.