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.