Obituaries
Kathleen Ingram
Kathleen Viola Ingram, age 73, of Olivet passed away on Sunday, October 30, 2022, in Battle Creek, Michigan. She was born in Lansing, Michigan on October 27, 1949, to George and Dora (Blaine) Harmon. Kathleen grew up and attended school in Olivet graduating with the class of ’68. In March of 1970, she married Stephen Ingram in Olivet.
Many things could be said about Kathleen. She worked hard for many years for the State of Michigan as she and Stephen raised their family. They lived for a time by the Lake of the Woods and she loved to fish! Family meant the world to Kathleen. She spent countless hours taking care of family members. Over the last few years, she and her daughter Candace traveled together frequently to various museums, to go shopping, or just to spend quality time together. Kathleen loved her grandchildren and her great grandchildren. She will be deeply missed by them all.
Kathleen is survived by her children: Candace Kelley of Charlotte, Wayne (Rose) Ingram of Olivet, Lori Ingram of Battle Creek, Laura Lou (Wes) Fendon of Phoenix, Arizona; twelve grandchildren, eight great grandchildren; brother, Terry (Jeana) Harmon; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Stephen in 2002; sister, Shirley Sadowsky; and brother, Frank Harmon.
Following Kathleen’s wishes, cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held at a later date.
Those desiring may make a charitable contribution in Kathleen’s memory to the National Kidney Foundation at www.kidney.org.
To view Kathleen’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit www.burkhead-green-kilgo.com.
The family is being served by the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home.
Daniel Speck
Mr. Daniel A. Speck, age 68 of Nashville, MI (formerly of Hebron, IN) passed away on October 29, 2022, at his home in Assyria Township.
Dan was born in Winamac, Indiana, the son of Gloria and Louis Speck. He was raised in the Hebron area and attended local schools. After completing his education Dan joined the United States Air Force; serving faithfully during the Vietnam War as part of the 819th R.E.D.H.O.R.S.E. squadron.
Growing up on a farm, Dan would watch his father and grandfather repair farm equipment and fabricate necessary implements and tools that were used in day-to-day operations. He used this knowledge to become a diesel mechanic, specializing in tractor trailers and heavy equipment; a career and hobby that spanned over 40 years.
On November 19, 1983, he married Deb. They made their home in Hebron until 1996 when they relocated to the Nashville area where they settled on 20 acres in Assyria Township. Their new “country” setting provided the perfect opportunity for Dan to pursue his passion for horses and farm equipment. He was a cowboy and loved spending time trail riding and team roping. When he wasn’t riding, Dan enjoyed being outdoors hunting, fishing, and riding his Harley. He especially looked forward to the annual Deer Camp, in Northern Michigan with friends.
He is survived by his wife Deb; his daughter Diana; two sons, Charles and David; best friends, Randy (Paula) Kuss, Kirk (Kristy) Wood, and his favorite horse “Ramsey.” He was preceded in death by his daughter Tracy, sister Sandra, and father Louis.
Funeral service were held on Wednesday, November 2, 2022, at The Geisen Funeral Home, 624 North Main Street, Hebron IN 46341.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Dan’s name to Great Lakes Burn Camp for Children. glbcforkids.org.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Daniels Funeral Home in Nashville, MI. For further details, please visit our website at www.danielsfuneralhome.net.
Patricia Van Skike
Patricia Joan (Clemens) Van Skike, age 90, passed away peacefully on October 26, 2022, at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis, MI. She joyfully entered the presence of her Savior. Pat was born February 5, 1932, in Sturgis, one of six children, to Vernon and Marjorie (King) Wallick.
She met and fell in love with a boy down the street; she married Richard Clemens on February 12, 1949. Pat was a homemaker, mother of three daughters, and was active in the early formation years of the Sturgis Wesleyan Church.
She wasn’t much of a traveler or adventurer, but in 1960, she traveled alone with the three girls to meet Richard in Tournata, Liberia, on Africa’s west coast, where they served for two years as lay missionaries. Upon their return to Sturgis, Pat began caring for children in her home, and ran a daycare for many years. Eventually, she helped to establish the Humpty Dumpty Nursery School at the Wesleyan Church. Her love of and devotion to children never wavered, and until her life’s end, she delighted in holding a baby in her arms.
In 1973, Richard died at age 47. On November 29, 1974, Pat married Bryan Van Skike, a longtime friend of the family and recent widower. Pat moved to his home in Charlotte, MI and established a new chapter with Bryan’s children. They were married for 46 years.
Pat continued to care for children in their home and they became “Grandma and Grandpa” to numerous children in this area. They were active members of First Baptist Church, where Pat taught Sunday School, volunteered in the nursery, and made many friends. In both Sturgis and Charlotte, family members were blessed to share life with a woman of unconditional love, strong faith, and an open heart. Pat’s life was one of praise and thanksgiving.
When it became evident that neither of them could no longer live on their own, Pat and Bryan returned to live in Sturgis in 2019. Bryan, age 93, passed away at Thurston Woods in 2020, and Pat entered Thurston Woods the following year. We thank the staff for their loving care.
She is survived by her Clemens children: Linda (Larry) Hahn, Mary (Joe) Schmitt, Katie Clemens; and her Van Skike children: Brynda Filkins, Penny Pickett, Nathan (Kathy) Van Skike. Pat leaves one brother, Vern Wallick; two sister, Beverly Fuller and Dixie DeHaan; numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held on November 12th at Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home, 206 W. Lawrence Ave., Charlotte, MI. Visitation with the family will be at 1:00 p.m.; the Memorial Service will be at 2:00 p.m. The service will be livestreamed at https://listentochurch.com/listen/bgk. Reception to follow at the funeral home.
If desired, memorials may be directed to First Baptist Church, 1210 S. Cochran Ave., Charlotte, MI. Relatives and friends are encouraged to share memories and condolences at www.burkhead-green-kilgo.com.
Rosalie Sinko
Rosalie Ann Sinko, a jokester who always enjoyed a good laugh, died Sunday, October 30, 2022, at the Stoneleigh Hospice House in Lansing. Rosalie 89, of Charlotte, was born April 21, 1933, in Detroit, MI the daughter of Jerome Maurer and Helen (Gryble) Sharkey. She graduated from Resurrection High School in 1951. On October 23, 1954, Rosalie married Robert Sinko and for the next 66 years they created their legacy until his passing in 2020. She was very devoted in her Catholic faith; she was an active member of St. Mary Catholic Church. She loved tending to her flower gardens, crafts, reading, watching Judge Judy, Sunday car rides, and most importantly spending time with her family.
Rosalie is survived by her children, Mark (Sherry) Sinko, Randi Sinko, Karen (Kris) Fase, and Kathy Sinko-Mills; daughter-in-law, Linda Sinko; 11 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband, Robert; and her son, Robert John Sinko in 2022.
Friends are encouraged to support Rosalie’s family by attending services or sharing memories on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. A funeral mass was held at St. Mary Catholic Church in Charlotte on Thursday, November 3, 2022 with Rev. Fr. Dwight Ezop officiating. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Stoneleigh Hospice House in Lansing. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Dennis Hamm
Dennis Gerald Hamm, age 69, of Olivet, passed away peacefully into the loving arms of his Savior on Tuesday, November 1, 2022. He was born August 5, 1953, in Mt. Clemens, Michigan the son of Gerald and Norene (Farmer) Hamm. Dennis graduated from Olivet High School with the class of 1973.
Dennis is survived by his daughter, Marie Ann Morrison; grandchildren: Tyler Vandlen, Brady Brisson, Samantha Hamm, Victoria Hamm; sisters: Linda Davis of Marshall, Judy (John) Clark of Holland, Debra (Rick) Slone of Olivet; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and son, Gerald Dennis Hamm.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, November 11, 2022, at 11 a.m. at the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home with a reception to follow. The family will receive friends from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. just prior to the service. Burial will take place at Olivet Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, those desiring may make contributions in Dennis’s memory to the family to be used towards an education fund for his granddaughters.
To view Dennis’ obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit www.burkhead-green-kilgo.com.