Royce Jacob Rader

Royce Jacob Rader, age 78, of Pickford, Michigan, died on May 27, 2017 at his home. He was born on December 17, 1938, in Sterlingville, Michigan, to Jacob Augustus and Ruby Olive (Gray) Rader. Royce was born on Gray Road in Sterlingville and was the third of seven children. He grew up in Sterlingville and attended Pickford Public Schools. He worked with his father in the woods and on the farm. In 1954, he began his service in the National Guard for 6 years. He married Theresa Cryderman and they made their home in Pickford and then moved to Minnesota for five years. In 1963, they moved back to Pickford and Royce went to work for George Hershell in his Body Shop. He then worked for Lipsett Chevrolet in Pickford. After Lipsett closed he opened his own body shop for three years and then worked for Artim over the road trucking. He came back to work for Chippewa County Road Commission snow plowing and keeping the equipment in good order. He retired in 2001 and continued to help his kids and sisters to build their homes. In 2012, he began his battle with cancer. Royce was a member of the Holy Family Catholic Church in Barbeau, Michigan. He belonged to the Chippewa Riders motorcycle club for 10 years and the Soo Silver Spurs Horseback Riding Club. Royce liked to fix things. He enjoyed snowmobiling and participated in the I-500 racing a Snojet the second year. He loved to go to the car races in Kinross, Michigan. Royce is survived by his girlfriend of 23 years, Grace Smith; children, Brian (Melanie) Rader of Pickford, Kevin Rader, Michael Rader, Tari (Mark) Miller all of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan; grandchildren, Ashten Izzard, Kassandra (Lee) Whitson, Allison (Joshua) Gordon, Mary Rader, Samantha Cruickshank, Kimberly Cruickshank, Halie Miller, Seth Miller, Elaina Rader; great-grandchildren, Faith, Grace, Sicily, Valentino, Marklyn, and Anthony; brothers, Floyd (Deanna) Rader of Sault Ste. Marie, and Edwin (Florence) Rader of Lansing, Michigan; sisters, Lucile (Levi) Godin of Kinross, Nina ( Roger) Leach of Pickford, and Susan Moellor of Nebraska. Royce is preceded in death by his sons, Kenny and Darrell Rader; daughter, Kimberly Izzard; grandson, Lucas Izzard; brother, Basil Rader; and his parents. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 31, 2017 from 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at R. Galer Funeral Home, 24549 S. M-129 in Pickford. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Thursday, June 1, 2017 at 11:00 A.M. at Holy Catholic Church in Barbeau. Burial will be at Holy Catholic Church Cemetery in Barbeau.

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Royce Jacob Rader

December 17, 1938 - May 27, 2017