Robert E. Best, son of George Irving (1891-1962) and Sharlot (also found spelled as Charlotte) Bessie (Badgerow) (1895-1928) Best, was born 16 September 1915, Lansing, Ingham County, Michigan.
As a 12 year old boy, Robert and his siblings one day found their mother dead upon arrival home from school. Sharlot, according to her Michigan Death Certificate, succumbed to "carbolic acid poisoning by her own hand with suicide attempt." She was interred Gunnisonville Cemetery, Clinton County, Michigan.
The News-Palladium (Benton Harbor, Michigan) Thursday 16 February 1928
MOTHER OF THREE COMMITS SUICIDE
Lansing, Feb. 16 - Mrs. Charlotte Best, 32, wife of George Best, living five miles north of here, and mother of three small children, ended her life Tuesday by swallowing poison. Mrs. Best, who had been in ill health for some time, was found dead by the children when they returned from school.
Robert graduated in 1935 from Okemos High School. He married Maxine Marie Fenner 29 May 1939, Steuben County, Indiana. The couple had 2 sons, Ronald and Phillip. Robert and Maxine divorced 21 March 1947, Ingham County. Maxine married Stephen Martin in April of 1947. After Stephen Martin's death she married Leon Dormer. Maxine, born 1921, died 2011.
Robert married 5 July 1947, Lansing, divorcee Lillian Irene (Cross) Atkinson. The couple had 2 daughters and were married nearly 30 years. Robert died 28 March 1977, Lansing. He was interred near his parents, Gunnisonville Cemetery. Lillian, born 13 November 1920, Mason, Ingham County, died 13 February 1999, Lansing.
Lansing State Journal (Lansing, Michigan) Tuesday 29 March 1977
ROBERT E. BEST
621 CHERRY ST.
Age 61, died March 28, 1977. Born Sept. 16, 1915 in Lansing, Mr. Best had been a lifelong resident of Lansing. Surviving are the wife, Lillian; 2 daughters, Mrs. Ron (Linda) Carpenter; Diane Best, both of Lansing; 2 sons, Ronald and Phillip, both of New Mexico; 2 granddaughters, Laura and Angela; sister, Mrs. Russell (Eloise) Simpson of Florida; brother, Albert Best of Dansville; 2 half brothers, Bruce Best of Lansing and William Best of Charlotte. Funeral services will be Thursday, 2:30 p.m. at the Gorsline-Runciman Lansing Chapel with Pastor Ronald E. Ruskjer of the University Seventh-day Adventist Church, officiating. Interment at Gunnisonville Cemetery.