Rev. D. Robert Sickmiller

Rev. D. Robert Sickmiller, 97, went to be with His Lord on Thursday, June 16, 2016. He was born February 5, 1919 in Williams Center, Ohio the son of Elmer and Nettie (Stoll) Sickmiller. Bob enlisted in the US Marines in 1940, serving six years in the Pacific Theater and Guadalcanal. His life was forever changed when he became a Christian at the age of 28 and prepared for the ministry at Greenville College in Illinois, attending through the GI Bill. In 1949, he married Marilyn Maxine DeVoll, and together they spent 57 years in the ministry, serving 40 years at Pilgrim Bible Church in Cedar Springs, MI. During this time, he started a K12 Christian school, instituted an annual family camp, hosted a radio program on WFUR, and began a mission program in Haiti. He was an excellent speaker, continuing his ministry even after retirement in 1998. He preached his last sermon at the age of 92. Bob was an outstanding shortstop on his college baseball team and was an avid Buckeye. He loved music; he taught himself to chord on an old pump organ, sang in a college male quartet, and directed the church choir, often writing the programs. He was a people person he could strike up a conversation with anyone of any age, often turning the conversation to spiritual matters. He was a mentor and encourager to many young preachers. Bob was a magnet for children and young people loved to talk sports with him and listen to his war stories. He dearly loved his wife and daughters, and his grandchildren and great grandchildren were the light of his life. They will always remember his famous treasure hunts with the rhyming clues, the Snickers in his pockets, and spellbinding stories. He was preceded in death by his five brothers and daughter Becky. He is survived by his beloved wife Marilyn Maxine; daughters Robbie (Don) Coxon, Cheryl (Glenn) Hemrick; grandchildren Cara (Jamey) Gremillion, Kevin (Elizabeth) Coxon, Ona and Gina Hemrick; great grandchildren Cameron, Cade, Kelcie and Karis Gremillion, Macy and Declan Coxon; sister Betty Sharp; brother in law Gene (Linda) DeVoll, sister in law Mary Belle DeVoll; and several nieces and nephews. Well done, thou good and faithful servant! Funeral services will be conducted at 2 pm Monday at the Pilgrim Bible Church. Pastors Mike Shiery and James Durr will be officiating. Visitation will be held Sunday from 2-4 and 6-8 pm at the Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs. Burial will take place in Elmwood Cemetery. The family wishes to express special thanks to Jessica, his wonderful hospice nurse. Memorial contributions may be made to Spectrum Health Hospice and Palliative Care.