Mr. Robert Houghton, age 73, of Cedar Springs, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Friday, August 27, 2010. He grew up on the farm in Ensley Center on Locust Street where his family farmed 160 acres plus rented land. Bob was the youngest of 12 children and loved every minute of growing up on the farm. He quit school so he could help his parents with the dairy cattle, corn, and pickles. When the farm burned and with his father aging, they did not rebuild.  Bob went to work at W.W.W., retiring after 31.8 years. It was there that he met Jackie. They dated and then things got serious so Jackie purposed to Bob because he was too bashful to ask Rev. Larry Gurbach who then married them on March 7, 1958 at Ensley Center Methodist Church. At the age of 19, Bob accepted Christ as his Saviour, and it was Jackie who led him to the Lord. Since 1960 Bob and Jackie have been members of First Baptist Church of Cedar Springs where Bob served as Deacon. After leaving W.W.W., Bob worked at Cedar Springs Public Schools as a Junior High Custodian. He is survived by his loving wife, the former Jacqueline Eggleston; children, Keith and Samantha Houghton and Calvin Houghton; grandchildren, Tatanna Houghton, Vanessa Houghton, Alexis Houghton, Whitney Houghton, Tatum Houghton, Kamryn Houghton, Sophie Houghton, Jesse Houghton, Hannah Houghton; 6 great-grandchildren, Savannah, Natalie, Ondrea, Ayden, and Skylene; brothers and sisters, Mrs. Donna Groenke, Milo “Mike” and Dorothy Houghton, Lloyd and Mazel Houghton, Gaylord and Pat Houghton; sister-in-law, Mrs. Lois Houghton; brother-in-law, J.C. Nielsen; several nieces and nephews; Jackie’s family, Donald and Myrne Eggleston, Mrs. Donna Kossen, Melvin and Mary Eggleston, and Mary Kay and Charles Doane. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Kenneth, Francis, LaVern, Theodore, and sister, June. The Service of Praise and Thanksgiving for the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ for Mr. Houghton will be Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Cedar Springs with Pastor Jim Howard officiating. Interment in Elmwood Cemetery. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider The Memorial Fund at First Baptist Church of Cedar Springs. Relatives and friends met with the family at the Pederson Funeral Home from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday.

Arrangements by The Pederson Funeral Home, Rockford www.pedersonfuneralhome.com