Jean Shinske

Jean (McKimmie) Shinske, a life-time South Haven resident, passed on January 12, 2012 at the age of 95.

Jean was born on June 13, 1916 in South Haven Michigan. She was the fourth and youngest daughter of Thomas and Mary Jane McKimmie. Her family was of Scotch Irish decent, a fact that she was always very proud of.

The McKimmie’s owned and operated a men’s specialty department store on the main four corners in the heart of South Haven.

Jean’s entire family had a talent for music –piano, violin, and voice and Jean became proficient in all three. In 1921, at the age of 5, she gave her first piano recital before the ladies of the South Haven Scott Club, of which her mother was a member.

Jean attended South Haven High School in 1934 where she was a member of the high school trio, orchestra, string quartet, pit orchestra and starred in musicals taking the lead role each year. Jean was an honor student and recipient of the Kiwanis Key Club, and ultimately became the class valedictorian.

Jean went on the Michigan Normal College (later Eastern Michigan University), where she majored in music. During here four years of study she excelled in areas of drama and music, highlighted by a trip to Washington DC where, as a soprano in the Honorary Madrigal Choir, she sang before President Roosevelt. In 1938 she graduated summa cum laude. Jean was extended a scholarship to University of Michigan, but accepted instead, a teaching position in Port Huron, Michigan in the music department. While teaching that first year she met and fell in love with a local resident, Kenneth Shinske.

Jean and Kenneth were married in 1942 and soon after he was drafted into the army. He returned from the South Pacific in 1945, and they couple settled in South Have, Michigan at which time he took a position at the family business, “McKimmies”. Jean and Kenneth would remain in South Haven for the duration of their 62 hears of marriage, which ended with Ken’s death in April 2004. Jean was proud of her successful marriage and her family. Jean, along with her family believed that her greatest achievement was surviving breast cancer in 1979.

Jean lived a very busy and interesting life as she balanced her role as mother and homemaker. She became a member of Saint Basils Parrish, and converted to Catholicism. She served as President of the Alter Rosary Society, and was substitute teacher for Saint Basil School.

Jean’s community involvement included the Campfire Girls where she served as a leader for many years and eventually served on the executive board. She was a den mother for the Cub Scouts. She was a vocalist and violinist for the South Haven community orchestra and an avid bridge player. She was a member of the Scott Club serving as secretary throughout the years and a founding member of their writers group where she began writing her memoirs. Jean was a founding member of the longest running book club in South Haven which started in 1958. She participated for many years in the senior swimming program at the South Haven High School pool, the exercise program at the Warren Center, and travelled both locally and abroad with family and friends. Jean was a member of the South Haven Country Club, and served as president of the ladies golf league. She was one of the lucky few to have 2 holes-in-one during her lifetime, making her the first woman to accomplish this fete at the SHCC.

Jean was an avid and prize-winning gardener, a quilter and seamstress. She knit beautiful Christmas stockings and sweaters for her entire family. Jean’s legacy for her children will live on in 3 volumes of memoirs spanning 90 years.

Jean is survived by three children, Mary (Kevin) Cooney, Ann (David) Szarkowski and Thomas (Laura) Shinske, all of South Haven. She is also survived by 9 grandchildren, 6 great grand children, 4 nieces, Maxine Evans and Sally (Robert) Teuteberg of Pittsburg, Christine (James) Biddle of Detroit and Jan Shinske of Saint Clair Michigan. She is also survived by 5 nephews, James (Mona) MacKimmie of Saint Joseph, Michigan, Thomas MacKimmie of Fort Meyers, Florida and James, John and Jeffery Shinske of Saint Clair Michigan, as well as many great nieces and nephews.

A requiem mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, January 18th, 2012 at Saint Basils Catholic Church, 513 Monroe Boulevard, officiated by Father Robert Flickinger. A private family internment will be held at a later date.

Memorial contributions can be made to South Haven Hospice at Home, Scott Club and Saint Basil School. Kindly share your thoughts and memories on the family’s on line guest book at www.filbrandtffh.com.

The family is being helped by the Filbrandt Family Funeral Home of South Haven 637-0333.