Robert "Bert" Jordan

Robert Jordan had a pretty simple way of looking at life. Work hard. Take care of your family. Help somebody when they need it. Robert lived by those principles without making a big production of them. He was tough, resourceful, honest to the core, generous with what he had, and quick to forgive. He led by example, inspiring those around him to live wholeheartedly. In his own way, Robert showed the people he loved what it meant to live a good life.

In 1966, while the Vietnam conflict continued and racial tensions at home grew, the Rolling Stones sang Under My Thumb, ABC brought legendary hunting and fishing adventures into American living rooms through The American Sportsman, and the race to put a man on the moon continued. Closer to home, the Michigan Department of Conservation had introduced salmon into Lake Michigan, eventually creating a major sport fishery, while Strike King Lures was beginning its rise as a dominant name in bass fishing. Nowhere, though, was there more to celebrate than in the home of Uressey and Hazel (Terry) Jordan as they welcomed their son Robert on September 29.

The youngest of his siblings, Robert seemed drawn to the outdoors from the very beginning. As a boy, he could be found with a fishing pole in his hand or exploring the woods with friends. In high school, he was also a standout baseball player for Decatur High School, particularly on the mound, where his fastball earned him attention in the local newspapers.

Robert met the love of his life, Wanda Nix, as a teen. She was two years older, and they went salmon fishing in Allegan on their first date. With similar passions and interests in the outdoors, it's no wonder they fell in love and began building a future together. On September 18, 1993, Robert and Wanda were married.

Robert welcomed Wanda's young son, Justin, into his life. In time, their sons Jon and Jake were born, completing the family and filling Robert's heart. Justin didn't learn Robert was his stepdad until he was about nine years old. By then, there was no distinction in Justin's mind. Robert was simply his dad, and the only dad he had ever known. As Justin put it, that was a “testament to the man that he was.” The brothers even joked that Robert may have treated Justin just a little better.

Robert worked in concrete and cement for most of his life. He learned flat work as a young man, then worked for several cement companies before operating his own concrete company through most of the boys' childhood. He also worked with a tree service, where he held a CDL and operated heavy equipment. For the past 12 years, Robert drove a cement mixer truck. It was a labor of love and took a heavy physical toll, but when his sons see the trucks around town, they think, "That's Dad."

Robert and Wanda enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping, and entertaining together. Their house was the hub where everyone gathered, with bonfires and pig roasts. Robert hunted deer and rabbits and had several big bucks mounted; one was a trophy featured in a magazine. Their boys were the centers of their worlds, and Robert showed up for everything. He taught them to hunt and fish and sometimes smoked them with a couple of his fastballs while playing catch in the yard.

Robert also became a second dad to many of his sons' friends. Always just a phone call away, he'd drop whatever he was doing to lend a hand. Whether helping a friend, a family member, or a total stranger, Robert was there without question. If he had a dollar, you had it. If he was eating, you were eating. And when someone was struggling, his answer was often, “Let's go fishing, that makes everything better,” or “Let's go on a golf cart ride, and we'll talk.” It wasn't always about finding an answer; sometimes, Robert knew you just needed to get your mind somewhere else.

Larger-than-life, Robert was the epitome of a man's man. There was little he couldn't fix, from cars to construction equipment. He was competitive at everything from 3D archery and cornhole to ping-pong, Uno, and Risk. He was also famous for suddenly announcing some outlandish rule nobody had heard before and insisting it was “the original way to play.”

Content with life's simple pleasures, Robert enjoyed working and providing for his family, but he thoroughly loved coming home, having a beer, sitting by a bonfire, and taking golf cart rides. He was well respected, and his sons knew the difference it made when someone learned, “You're Robert Jordan's boy.” Robert taught his sons to work for what they have, reminding them, “Nobody owes you anything.”

Tough and resilient throughout his life, Robert became a bit softer when he became a grandfather. He cherished being called “Papa” and enjoyed sharing time with his grandchildren, watching them learn and grow. Without a doubt, his family was his greatest joy.

Though our days with him were far too few, every moment we shared with Robert is a gift we will long treasure. As our countless memories provide comfort, may the honor of carrying his legacy forward also provide peace. For Robert, love was often as simple as showing up—to help, to listen, to teach, to laugh, or simply to spend time together. In the years ahead, whenever we do those things for the people we love, gather around a fire, take a ride on the golf cart, or cast a line into familiar waters, Robert will be there in the memories we carry and the lives he helped shape.

Robert "Bert" Jordan of Marcellus, age 60, died on October 1, 2026. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Wanda; and siblings: Billy Jordan and Stanley Jordan. He is survived by his sons: Justin (Erica) Nix, Jon (Rachel) Nix, and Jake (Cassie) Jordan; grandchildren: Ethan, Elijah, Bronson, Brynlee, Maddyx, Jaycee, and Westyn; brother, David Jordan; and many nieces and nephews.

Please join us for a Life Story Visitation on Thursday, October 8, from 5-7 PM at Betzler & Thompson Life Story Funeral Homes, 60900 M40, Paw Paw, (269) 657-3870. A Life Story Service will be held Friday, October 9, at 11 AM at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery in Lawton. Celebrate Robert's life online by sharing your favorite stories and photos on his dedicated webpage at BetzlerLifeStory.com.