Robert E. Picking

Robert “Bob” E. Picking, age 87, of West Olive (formerly Hastings), passed away on Monday, September 11, 2023 at home. Bob was born on April 25, 1936 in a farmhouse in Loran, IL to the late Ralph and Sophie (Janssen) Picking. He married Jean Kennedy on June 25, 1960 in Freeport, IL.

Bob graduated from Freeport High School, and later, Illinois Wesleyan University, where he was in the Sigma Chi Fraternity. He also attended University of Wisconsin Graduate School of Banking & University of Michigan School of Banking. He moved from Iowa to Grand Haven, MI in 1965, and held a position as Vice President of loans at Security First Bank until 1975, then served as President and C.E.O. of Hastings City Bank from 1975 to 2002, then moving to West Olive and retiring.

He served as President of the Michigan Bankers Association in 1997 and served on many boards in the community. Bob was also a member of the Kiwanis Club, Masonic Lodge, and Elks Lodge of Hastings and Grand Haven. Bob was a former active member of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Grand Haven for many years. He enjoyed fishing, snow skiing, playing tennis, international travel, and especially sharing fellowship and breaking bread with family and friends.

Bob will be remembered and missed by his wife of 63 years, Jean; their daughter, Susan Picking and her spouse (Michael Wheeler) of Grand Haven; and son, David Picking of West Olive; two grandchildren, Robert Picking, II and Anne (Chris) Stephan, both of Ypsilanti, MI; Peter Stephan; two sisters, Delores Ferraiaulo and Judith (Jerry) Lang; three brothers: Ronald (Caroline) Picking, Darius (Cindy) Picking, and Steven (Marilyn) Picking; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Bill Picking; and three brothers-in-law.

The Memorial Service for Bob will take place at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 21, 2023 at Klaassen Family Funeral Home. Visitation/Reception to follow from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. at the funeral home. Interment will be at Lake Forest Cemetery.

There will also be a Celebration of Life, "Bob’s Big Bash" on Sunday, October 8, 2023, from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Highpoint Community Bank, 150 West Court St., Hastings, MI 49058.

Memorial Contributions may be made to The Mary Free Bed Foundation.

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