Robert Joseph Venice

Robert Joseph Venice, 81, of Cottage Grove, OR, died January 20, 2019. He was born January 28, 1937 in Peru, Indiana, to parents Leonard and Mae Belle (Nelson) Venice. Bob graduated from Peru High School in 1955 and attended the University of Oregon. He served as a Corporal in the United States Marine Corps. Bob was a retired mail carrier for the United States Postal Service. He married his high school sweetheart, Becky Lou Reineke on December 31, 1960, and they celebrated 58 years of marriage. Bob enjoyed gardening, cooking, fishing, hunting, and traveling. He learned and spoke Italian, spent time with his grandchildren, volunteered for Meals on Wheels and St. Vincent de Paul Society. He was a kind, generous and warm man with a fun-loving sense of humor. Bob is survived by his loving wife, Becky; daughter, Theresa Venice-Hollriegel (Kuno) of Seattle, WA; daughter Maria McCandless (Stan) of Beaverton, OR; daughter, Angela Venice-Simmons (Chris) of Cottage Grove; daughter, Monica Venice of Cottage Grove; son Nick Venice (Shanna) of Cottage Grove; daughter Gina Buckel of Milwaukie, OR; sister, Mary Jo Tully of Peru, IN; sister Barbara Hayes of Mesa, AZ; sister, Judy Owen of Peru, IN; 9 grandchildren, Ashley Perkins, Brandon Perkins, Kyle Corso, Hannes Hollriegel, Anton Hollriegel, Jaxon Simmons, Jason, Shaelyn and Cassandra Venice. He was preceded in death by brothers, Leonard Venice, Jr., James Venice and sister, Janet Dixon. A memorial mass will be held at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church at 11:00 am on February 2, 2019 in Cottage Grove. Donations may be made to St. Vincent de Paul Society, 1025 N. 19thSt., Cottage Grove. Arrangements are by Smith-Lund-Mills Funeral Chapel, Cottage Grove, OR.