September 4, 2026
Roberta Jean Ives, age 87, of Marcellus, passed away peacefully on Friday, September 4, 2026, surrounded by family. She was born to Robert and Lucille (Ladisic) Oreskovich. Roberta grew up on the family farm, where they grew and distilled mint along with other crops. She graduated as valedictorian of Decatur High School’s Class of 1957.
Roberta married the love of her life, Marvin Ives, on July 28, 1962, in Decatur, Michigan. They later moved to Marcellus, where they raised their four children. Roberta was a longtime congregant of St. Margaret Mary Church and, more recently, St. Mary’s in Paw Paw. She worked for Marcellus Schools in the Title I Reading Program and later as a medical transcriptionist and office manager for Associated Pulmonary Specialists at Bronson Hospital. She enjoyed her work and retired on July 23, 2011, after many years of service. In retirement, Roberta enjoyed birdwatching, cooking, and baking. A phenomenal cook, she learned many traditional Croatian recipes from her mother. She also took cake-decorating classes and took great pride in her creations. Roberta loved playing Wheel of Fortune with her husband, Marvin. Above all, she was kind and loving, and her greatest joy was spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Roberta is survived by her husband, Marvin; her four children, Michael Ives, Cindy Teague (Ives), Paul (Laura) Ives, and Alan (Teresa) Ives; eight grandchildren, Eric (Candace) Northrop, Andrew (Carmen) Northrop, Ashley (Ryan) Waltke, Rachel (Evan) Fletcher, Allison (Rick) Ertman, Cory Ives, Anna Ives, and Ella Teague; and five great-grandchildren, Atlas Northrop, Nylah Northrop, Leonides Northrop, Jackson Waltke, and Danny Fletcher. She is also survived by her sisters, Anne Felcyn and Eileen (Doug) Simmons, and her brother, Joe (Peggy) Oreskovich.
Roberta was preceded in death by her father, Robert Oreskovich; her mother, Lucille Oreskovich; her sister, Betty (Harry) Gray; her brother-in-law, Ted Felcyn; her nephew, Steve Felcyn; her father-in-law, Harold Ives; her mother-in-law, Dora Ives; her brother-in-law, Ken (Leontine) Ives; her sister-in-law, Marilyn (Don) Mackellar; and her nephew, Kenneth Ives Jr.
Mass of Christian burial was at St. Mary Catholic Church, 209 S. Brown Street, Paw Paw, Saturday, September 12, 2026. Interment followed in Anderson Cemetery.
Share a memory or sign the online guestbook at: www.adamspawpaw.com
###
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.