Age 87, of Chelsea, Michigan, formerly of Traverse City, passed away on Tuesday, March 25, 2014. Wes was born on June 13, 1926 on the family farm at Keswick in Bingham Township, Leelanau County, to Howard W. and Celia B. (Hinshaw) Reincke.
After graduating from Suttons Bay High School, he entered college, graduating from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering. He was a veteran of the United States Navy (Ensign) serving on a battle cruiser in the South Pacific during World War II. He was a registered professional engineer and a registered land surveyor. He worked for a short time as the assistant county land surveyor for Leelanau County before moving to Lansing for three years to work for the Michigan Department of State Highways and to work on his master’s degree at Michigan State University. In 1955 he and the family moved back to Traverse City, and he joined the Grand Traverse County Road Commission where he was the engineer-manager from 1960 until his retirement in 1988. In retirement he and his wife Donna, enjoyed life at their summer home on Lake Leelanau and winters in Florida and Alabama.
Wes will be remembered as a man of true integrity, honesty and patience. He touched the lives of many people. He loved his Wolverines and his Detroit Tigers, but most of all, Wes loved his God, his family, and many relatives and friends. He enjoyed playing games and especially loved playing sports until being sidelined by rheumatoid arthritis. He always looked forward to family reunions and get-togethers and enjoyed recalling and sharing remembrances of days gone by with clarity and fondness.
Wes is survived by his wife of 67 years, Donna L. (Hubbell) and their children, Jonathan W. (Kathrean) Reincke of Eaton Rapids, Mi., Sarah J. (John) Groesser of Chelsea, Mi., and Philip A. Reincke of Kingsley, Mi.; grandchildren: Erin, Ben, and Katie Reincke; Ben, Kirk, and Leslie Trentham; Jason, Brian (Ali), and Mike (Abby) Groesser; great-grandchildren: Ava, Brayden, and Claire Groesser; sisters: Orpha Drone, Ione (Rex) Shugart, and Ann Reincke; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by older sister, Lorraine F. Weigand and brothers-in-law, William R. Weigand and Edward A. Drone, and nephew, Lynn R. Weigand.
A memorial service was held Saturday May 17, 2014 at noon at the Keswick United Methodist Church, with visitation from 11 am - noon. A private burial will be at the Maple Grove Cemetery in Bingham Township. Memorial contributions in his memory may be made to the Keswick United Methodist Church, 3376 S. Center Highway, Suttons Bay, MI 49682.