Robert East

Robert East
October 4, 1942 - November 25, 2020 

Robert “Bob” Ernest East, 78, of Michigan City, passed away due to complications with Covid-19 at 7:52 am, Wednesday, November 25th, 2020 at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois. 

Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at 10:00 am Friday, July 23, 2021 at Queen of All Saints Catholic Church, 606 S. Woodland Avenue, Michigan City, IN. Burial will follow in St. Stanislaus Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 pm -7:00 pm Thursday at the Ott/Haverstock Funeral Chapel, 418 Washington St., Michigan City, IN and from 9:00 am - 10:00 am  Friday in the Legacy Center of Queen of All Saints Catholic Church. The American Legion Skwiat Post 451 will conduct a memorial service at 6:00 pm Thursday in the funeral chapel and full military honors Friday at the cemetery.

He was born October 4th,1942, in Michigan City, Indiana to Ernest East and Alice (Crawford-East) Shaffer. 

Robert served for the US Army as a combat engineer from 1959-1962 and was stationed in Nuremberg, Germany. He retired from Nipsco as a dozer operator for the coal handling department after 27 years of service and also worked for Clark Equipment for 9 years. He was a member of Queen of All Saints Catholic Church and an usher for many years. He was a member of American Legion Post 451 and took great pride in his involvement in the honor guard and the flag presentation to veteran families. Bob was also a ham radio operator for many years and was recognized on air as WB9WNU and KC9NP.  

Additionally, he was a member of the Knights of Columbus (Queens Church), Founder of MCROCKS, an avid Trump supporter, and classic muscle car enthusiast. He was a frequent patron of Schoops diner where he enjoyed visiting with his “coffee buddies.” Above all, Robert loved spending time with his family. He enjoyed pool parties and cook outs, holidays, family dinners, but most of all he enjoyed family vacations. 

Surviving is his wife of 57 years Anita (Cizewski) and three children. Dawn (Patrick) Landers, Duane (Richelle Millich) East and Jason (Anne) East.  

He is also survived by grandchildren Danielle (Josh) Solano, Amber and Wyatt East, Erin, Katie and John East and Trevor Ackerman. Also surviving are great grandchildren Connor and Garret Solano, sister-in laws Dennice Adrian and Diana Parker, and several loved nieces and nephews. Robert also leaves behind his loving companion dog Dillon. 

Preceding in death were his parents, his sister Celia Flowers, his step-father Robert Shaffer, and his grandson Steven Skoczek.  

The East family would like to personally thank Marie (Duval) Macke, RN, Dr. Jamile Shammo, MD, Dr. Christopher Seder, MD, and their colleagues and staff at the Rush Cancer Center. We would also like to thank the compassionate staff who cared for him in the ICU while we could not be with him.  

Contributions may be made to the American Legion Skwiat Post 451, 121 Skwiat Legion Ave., Michigan City, IN 46360.

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