Robert J. Backus, age 79, a Manitowoc resident, died Tuesday, July 17, 2001,
at the home of his son and daughter-in-la, Charles and Barbara Backus, 1877
Whitewater Circle, town of Manitowoc Rapids.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by the Rev. David Beaudry at
St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Alverno, Friday, July 20, 2001, at 11 a.m. Burial
will follow in St. Joseph's Cemetery.
Robert was born July 2, 1922 in Manitowoc, and was a lifelong resident of
Manitowoc County. His parents were the late Joseph and Ida Neumeyer Backhaus.
On June 25, 1946 he married Gertrude Hoyer at St. Mary's Catholic Church,
Brillion. He served with the United States Army during World War II from 1942
to 1946 in the Pacific Theatre of War. He was honorably discharged with the
rank of sergeant. He was employed by Medusa Cement Company as a heavy equipment
operator and crew leader. He retired in 1986 after 40 years of employment. He
was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Catholic Knights, Holy Name Society
for 50 years and Otto Oas VFW Post #659.
Survivors include his wife, Gertrude; 11 children: Don (Mary Jane) Backus, Tom
(Lindy) Backus, Tony (Linda) Backus, Jerome (Judy) Backus, Chuck (Barb) Backus,
all of Manitowoc; Bill (Nell) Backus, New Mexico; Dick Backus, Green Bay; Lee
(Lori) Backus, Appleton; Diane (Jerome) Wagner, Valders; Cheryl (Todd) Terp,
Manitowoc; and Carol (Kelly) Christiansen, Newton; four brothers: Ray Backus,
Allen (Genevieve) Backhaus, Paul (Ethel) Backus, all of Manitowoc; Jim (Darlene)
Backus, Kaukauna; two sisters: Alice Eisner, Manitowoc; and Ruth (Roland) Spatchek,
Reedsville; also 32 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, other relatives and
many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters: Marie Miller and Charlotte
Ebenhoe; five brothers-in-law: Edward Ebenhoe, Henry Miller, Paul Eisner, Carl
Mahloch and Roman Hennessey; and a sister-in-law, Helen Hennessey.
Friends may call at the Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home, Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m.
and Friday at St. Joseph's Catholic Church from 10 a.m. until the time of Mass at
11 a.m. A prayer service will be held Thursday evening at 7 p.m.
Herald Times Reporter, July 19, 2001 P. A6
Contributor: bMw (50122086)