Robert Wayne Shagonaby

Robert Wayne Shagonaby, age 80, walked on March 29, 2026, at McLaren Northern Michigan in Petoskey.

Robert was born on September 6, 1945, to Charles and Susan (Kiogima) Shagonaby in his childhood home, located only a stone’s throw away from the house where he would spend the later years of his life. He attended Harbor Springs High School, later moving on to attend culinary school in Chicago.

He married Joyce Hungerford on August 17, 1991, in the Holy Childhood Church, with whom he would blend and build a family, as well as support their mutual passion for community. Robert was never a man to sit idle, working from his mid-twenties to fifties at the Wequetonsing Golf Club. Following an unfortunate injury at work, he soon made a full recovery and moved on to keeping the grounds at the Odawa Casino in Petoskey, Michigan, where he was known to “work circles” around all the other men on staff.

Robert was a hard worker and that skill came to him naturally, allowing him to provide essential scaffolding for the many communities in which he was a proud member. He was a devoted Catholic aligned with the Holy Childhood Church, a Grand Knight and Lifetime Member of the Knights of Columbus, and a Tribal Elder who dutifully honored his heritage with the Little Traverse Bay Band. He contributed to countless numbers of community events throughout his life, to the point that his name became ubiquitous as a symbol of warmth and steadfast reliability.

He settled into his day-to-day duties with an innate sense of purpose, which continued in his own home. He was an avid “tinkerer”, always finding something to fix, modify, or improve in his shed, known by a sign on the door that read ‘Shag’s Annex’. In his quieter moments, he enjoyed action and sci-fi movies.

Robert is survived by his son, Ken Schemke; as well as his stepsons Matthew (Bonnie) Dickensheets and Jim Horton; stepdaughters Melissa (John) Leckner and Heidi (David) Hughes; 15 grandchildren, and 24 great-grandchildren. He is preceded by his wife, Joyce Shagonaby; his parents Charles and Susan; brother Charles “Bill” William Shagonaby Jr.; and sisters Kathleen Reick and Evelyn Andrews.

A visitation will be held for those wishing to pay their respects to Robert at Stone Funeral Home on Saturday, April 4, 2026, from the hours of 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. A funeral service will follow at the Holy Childhood Catholic Church on Monday, April 6, 2026, officiated by Father Mitchel Roman. Time of gathering at the church will start at 10:00 AM, with the service beginning at 11:00 AM.

Memorial contributions in Robert's name may be directed to:

The Knights of Columbus Council 15021

150 W Main Street, Harbor Springs MI 49740

Care of: Kim Krieger

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