Warren Sinke ’53

Sinke, Warren J. Bay City, Michigan Warren J. Sinke, devoted and loving husband, brother, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, and mentor left this Earth on November 9, 2022, with his cherished wife holding his hand. Warren was born to the late Peter John and Evelyn Jeanette (Bouwens) Sinke on November 24, 1930 in Holland, Michigan. Warren married the love of his life Joan Paula Laskowski on April 25th 1957 in Angola, Indiana. They enjoyed over 65 years together. Joan survives him along with their four children and their spouses. Left to cherish his memory are Sharon Jean Travis (Richard), Jeannine Marie Racey (Joseph), Peter John Sinke (Jennifer), and Judith Lynn Deshano (Larry). Warren is also survived by his precious thirteen grandchildren: John Warren Travis JD (Lindsay Atkinson), Sarah Joan Travis (Jeffrey Eichelburger), Peter Thomas Travis (Lacey Friday), Evelyn Jeannette Travis (Anthony Licavoli), Joseph Howard Racey III (Raquel Wackerle), Justin Warren Racey, Jessica Sinke (Joshua Light), Joshua Warren Sinke (Johanna), Nathan Peter John Sinke, Madison Lee Sinke, Blake Wallace DeShano, Adam Lee DeShano (Sara), and Grant Warren Deshano (Tori Fenner). For the last eleven years the sparkle in Warren’s life was enjoying his twelve great-grandchildren. He always marveled that he was able to witness this legacy. They are Connor Travis and Landon James Eichelberger, Benjamin August, Jonah Leavitt, and Julian Hart Travis, Jacob Scott, Brentley Wallace, Jaxon Anthony, and Dakota John DeShano, Emmi, Ella, and Hadley Sinke. Warren is survived by his treasured brother Robert Sinke of Grand Haven. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews. Besides his parents Warren was predeceased by his sister Marlene Nykerk and her husband Floyd and his sister-in-law Pat Sinke. He was also predeceased by his father and mother-in-law, Frank and Joanna Laskowski, his in-laws, Henrietta and Eli Holes, Judith and Ralph Johnson, Donald and Connie Laskowski, and Eleanor and Philip Laleman, and one nephew Donald Laskowski Jr. Warren grew up in Holland, MI where he attended Holland Public Schools and graduated from Holland High School class of 1949. He received his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Hope College where he was a member of Phi Kappa Alpha. He later attended University of Michigan and received his Master of Arts degree. He also completed post master’s work at MSU, CMU, SVSU. Being on the water was when Warren was the happiest. He was a Sea Scout as a young man and served five years in the United States Naval Reserve. He later was in active duty with the Special Troops of the United States Army during the Korean War. Warren started his teaching career in Owendale, Michigan and went on to teach 33 years in the Bay City Public Schools at both T.L. Handy High School and Bay City Western High School. During most of his teaching years he was a Social Studies instructor. He was passionate about the United States Government and wanted his students to understand the importance of voting and taking part in service of their communities. After retiring from education, Warren was elected to the position of Monitor Township Supervisor. He was responsible for managing many improvements in the township which included the development of the DDA and the Valley Tech Center. He served Monitor Township in some capacity for 44 years. His roles included: supervisor, trustee, planning commission, zoning board of appeals, and constable. Community service was very important to Warren. He served on the board of directors and was chairman for School Employees Credit Union, and Sunrise Family Credit Union, President of the Bay County Township Office Association, President of BCAAT, President of the Bay County Economic Development, President of the Bay City Lion’s Club, and Director of The Bay County Growth Alliance. He was also a member of the American Legion Post 18, Bay County Historical Association, Saginaw Bay Ship Museum, Democratic Party, MEA/NEA, MRRST, and was a former member of BPOE 88. Warren was a servant to the Episcopal Church for 65 years. He served as the last Senior Warden for Grace Episcopal Church and the first for Saint Alban’s Episcopal Church as well as a long-time treasurer. He also served on the vestry for many years at Grace, Saint Alban’s, and Trinity Episcopal Churches. Besides community service, Warren had many interests. He could fix anything on a car, after having grown up in a auto body shop. He was happiest boating with Joan and his family. Warren and Joan loved to travel and spent years camping with their children, grandchildren and into retirement. Hunting with his son was a very special time for him every year. He also was an avid reader, enjoying mostly non-fiction. He always wanted to figure out how to make this world a better place. He loved a lively political debate. Warren enjoyed every minute that he could spend with his family. He most of all loved to spend time with his beloved wife Joan. They had a true love story. The family wishes to extend special thanks to the staff at New Hope Bay who treated him like family. The Cardinal Hospice nurses who aided the family during this difficult time with such gentle grace and care. Jeannine, Peter, and Judy would like to thank their sister Sharon for her strength and compassionate care for their father during this time. Warren will always be remembered for his quick wit and incredible sense of humor, as well as his kindness and generosity.

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