Obituary of Raphael "R.J." Joseph Doyle

Raphael Joseph Doyle “R.J.”, age 81 of Mecosta, passed away Sunday, December 24, 2017 at Spectrum Health Blodgett Hospital. A memorial Mass will be held in his honor, Friday, December 29^th, at St. Michael Catholic Church in Remus, at 11:00 AM with Father Tom Boufford officiating. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service on Friday.

R.J. was born April 26, 1936, the son of Ray and Barbara (Fries) Doyle. He married the love of his life, Barbara Moore, on October 8, 1960, and together the two grew their family to include four sons. R.J. started Doyle Realty in 1960, and served this community for many years before passing the family business on to his son, Kevin. R.J. was proud to be one of the first members of the Mecosta County Realtors Association, and was a long-time parishioner of St. Michael Catholic Church.

R.J. was said to be one of the biggest Notre Dame fans out there, never missing a football game. His passion for Notre Dame created an army of fans that all have Doyle in their DNA.  Aside from cheering on the Irish, he enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was a man of integrity and positivity. A private person, R.J. joked that he would never join clubs or associations that required monthly meetings or dues. He never had a bad day, and had no enemies in this world. Family was most important to R.J., and they will always remember how he could make a room feel complete simply by entering it.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 57 years, Barbara Doyle; sons, Kevin Doyle (Cindi Voss), Patrick (Lisa) Doyle, Michael (Kristin) Doyle, and Denny Doyle; sister, Maureen Lovell; grandchildren, Dustin, Morgan, Erin, Katie, Brendan, Karlie, and Kaden; family friend, Kathy Doyle, and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

R.J. was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Joan Small, and daughter-in-law, Susan Doyle.

Those desiring may direct memorial contributions to the Southern Mecosta Whitetail Management Association (C/O Dave Bulkema 14272 Jefferson Rd., Morley, MI 49336), in lieu of flowers.