Warren Robert Jenkins

Warren Robert Jenkins (Jinkins), 78, of Sidnaw, Michigan, formerly of Saint Joseph, Michigan, passed from this life to the next on Friday, Sept. 3, 2010, at home, after a long and courageous fight with cancer, with his dear wife Mary at his side.

Warren was born in Benton Harbor, Michigan, on July 24, 1932 to Virgil and Alvera Jinkins. He graduated from Benton Harbor High School where he played football and track, making All-State for football his senior year. He worked for Whirlpool in his early years as a design engineer before moving into sales, which he mastered with his innate skills and love for people. Warren went on to work at Shepherd Casters in Saint Joseph, Peer Corp. in Benton Harbor, K&M Mfg in Cassopolis and South Shore Tool in Baroda, from which he retired in 1993. He was also an active member of the Rotary Club during those working years. After moving to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, he served on the L'Anse School Board and as Duncan Township supervisor.

Not only did Warren love people and enjoyed making them laugh, he had a tremendous love of the outdoors. He could call ducks with the best of them, many times taking his limit each hunt. He loved working his black lab through the fields, hunting for pheasant, quail and rabbit. He never missed a chance to go deer hunting, and recently took up turkey hunting. Just last year he bagged a bearded hen with a .410 shotgun! Warren loved to fish, even more than hunting, and always had a story about "the one that got away." After retiring and spending many years on the St. Joe River, Lake Michigan, and about every inland lake within a 100-mile radius, Warren followed his dream to move to the U. P., where he had fond memories of deer hunting as a youngster with his father and grandfather. It didn't take long and he had a pole in hand and was out exploring the great wilderness in search of big trout, bass, perch, walleye or pan fish.

Warren is survived by his wife Mary (Steinke) Jenkins, sons Brien (Sheila) Jenkins of Saint Joseph, and Bruce (Nancy) Jenkins of Sheridan, Michigan, daughters Valerie (Foster Willey) Jenkins of Minneapolis, MN and Tracey (David) Merchant of Warm Mineral Springs, Florida, step-sons Trent (Tina) Renfro, Kevin (Becky) Renfro, and Jay (Pam) Renfro, six grandchildren, Brandon, Shannon, Dustin, Joshua, Jonny, and Jake, and one great-granddaughter, Clare.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Virginia (Henry) Hirsch.

Cremation has taken place and Warren will be buried at the Spring Run Cemetery in St. Joseph, MI. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, September 16th, with visitation from 1-1:30 p.m., with the service starting at 1:30 p.m. at the First Church of God in St. Joseph, MI; also a special gathering to remember Warren will be held on Sunday, Sept. 19th from 2-4 p.m. at Bill's Grill in Sidnaw, MI. In lieu of flowers please send donations to Warren's memorial at P.O. Box 155 Sidnaw, MI 49961. The Jacobson Funeral Home in L'Anse is assisting the family. Friends may sign Warren's guest book or send condolences at www.jacobsonfuneralhome.com.