Obituary: Dale Ronald Rinkevicz of Scottville

January 30, 2012

Dale Rinkevicz

Dale Ronald Rinkevicz, 48 of Scottville, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, January 28, 2012. Dale was born February 4, 1963 to Ronald & Donna (Petersen) Rinkevicz, the second of five children. He grew up on the family dairy farm, always eager to help and be the big brother. He graduated from Mason County Central High School in 1981 and joined the United States Navy. While stationed in San Diego, he met and married his first wife, Monica, and the light of his life, Katilyn Marie was born to their family. Dale eventually moved back to Michigan, where he began his work in carpentry. He was mostly self-taught and his talents were instinctive. He was very gifted and proud of the quality and integrity of his work. He had a long list of satisfied customers and a waiting list referred by word of mouth. Family was very important to Dale and the loss of his father in a construction accident in 1987 affected them all greatly. He held dear to his family and took special care of his grandparents, looking forward to family celebrations, and returning often to California to spend time with his daughter and be involved In her activities.

On September 24, 2011, Dale married the love of his life, Colleen Quinlan in a unique ceremony at Swygert’s orchard. He has been actively involved at Trinity Evangelical Free Church in Ludington and helped out a great deal with the ministry of Hospitality, Inc. Dale was playing poker with his good friends as was his custom when he suffered cardiac arrest and died. Dale was a man of integrity and honesty, valuing the relationships in his life, never taking them for granted. Friends commented on his big, strong hands which reflected his personality, his sense of responsibility and that great big smile. In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by his grandparents Vance & Florence Petersen and Justin & Eleanor Rinkevicz.

Dale will be missed dearly and remembered lovingly by his wife, Colleen, his children Kaitlyn Marie of Crescent City, CA and her mother Monica, Deirdre Fortino of Ypsilanti, Dominic Fortino of East Lansing, Michael (Corinne) Coopman and Mark Coopman, all of Crescent City, CA; his mother Donna (Hank) Heynen of Delton; his brothers and sisters Ruth Rinkevicz of Grand Rapids, Janet (James) Shinsky of Ludington, Wayne (Terri) Rinkevicz of Carr Settlement and Mark (Christy) Rinkevicz of Grand Haven; his mother-in-law Paula (Ron) Kovar of Scottville and father-in-law James (Jan)Quinlan of Caledonia.

A memorial service for Dale will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, February 2, 2012 at Trinity Evangelical Free Church in Ludington with has Pastor Gary Ridley officiating. Family and friends will meet for a time of visitation on Wednesday evening from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm at Stephens Funeral Home in Scottville. Those who wish to honor Dale’s memory with a charitable donation are asked to consider Hospitality In the Name of Christ, or the Mason County Central Middle School’s Veterans Program. Please visit Dale’s personal memory page at www.stephensfuneralhome.net to sign the guest book or to leave a message or memory for his family.