Mancil Jenkins

Mancil Jenkins carried a salt shaker in his pocket everywhere he went, just one of the many traditions he kept so close to his heart. It was so fitting for a man like Mancil, though, a salt-of-the-earth man who epitomized loyalty every day of his life, from protecting his country, to providing for his family. Today his life, loyalty and love, is a proud legacy he leaves behind. Mancil's story began on a hot summer day in 1922, in the little town of Fife Lake, tucked into the towering forests of Northern Michigan. Those were such exciting times in this country, as the Roaring Twenties began to really roar, and Michigan's lumber trade was still booming. On July 12, 1922, a strong lumberjack named Joe Jenkins and his wife Della (Priest) celebrated the birth of a baby boy, a son they named Mancil. Mancil grew up in the Fife Lake area as a boy, before the family moved to Cadillac when he was a young man. He grew up the way many boys did in those days, with a love of the great outdoors and a passion for playing the nation's pastime, baseball. And like many young men in those days, he left school early to help provide for his family. By the time Mancil had grown into a strapping young man, his country had entered into the dramatic conflict of World War II. Always ready and willing to help in any way he could, Mancil made his way to Kalamazoo on November 25, 1942, to enlist in the United States Army. Mancil bravely served his country for four years during the war, earning the rank of private. After the war ended and he was discharged, he returned to Michigan, where he found work driving a taxi around Cadillac. One day he stopped to pick up a fare, and it turned out to be a fair lady named Marjorie Mae Hancock, who called the cab to go to work. Mancil was immediately smitten with Marjorie, and after making him briefly chase her around, the two quickly fell head over heels. They were married on August 9, 1947, in Cadillac, beginning so many wonderful years together. They were perfect for each other, really, and had so much in common. Marjorie loved to go hunting with her new husband (which was almost a prerequisite for Mancil!), and the newlyweds enjoyed going for rides through the woods, or nights on the town dancing. It wasn't long before the new husband and wife became father and mother, as well. The couple was blessed with three wonderful children over the years, Greg, Deborah and Delores, who filled their lives with pride and joy. For Mancil, their births were the three greatest days of his life. Mancil found work as a grinder operator in the foundries to provide for his growing family, and what an excellent, hardworking provider he was. It was hard work, operating that grinder, but Mancil never minded hard work. Though when he finally retired in 1987 at the age of 65, he proudly announced, "I'm retired now, and I'm not doing anything!" Of course, that wasn't really true. Mancil was a man who had many passions, traditions and hobbies. Foremost among them was rabbit hunting, which he enjoyed making a family affair. One of Mancil's favorite traditions was betting his family and friends on who would get the first rabbit, with the winner taking home the whole dollar prize! Mancil had many, many beloved hunting dogs over the years, too. He loved the dogs for their companionship, and naturally, their uncompromising loyalty. In fact, he loved his canine companions so much, he once had 14 dogs at one time! The Jenkins family was a very close-knit clan, and did much together besides hunting. Mancil's children fondly remember the Sunday drives they would take through the countryside, piling into Dad's Chevy (he only drove a Chevy) and enjoying the day together. They also helped him with his beautiful garden, and still recall Dad loyally roto-tilling the entire garden by himself every year. Mancil's loyalty carried over into everything he did, from the car he drove, to the coffee he drank (only Maxwell House), to the Detroit Tigers team he followed so passionately (even in the down years). He only used Northern Tissue, too. And of course, he never ate anything without salt, and carried his trademark shaker with him everywhere he went. That was Mancil, though, a man of such great tradition, and loyal through-and-through, most of all, to his family. As the years went by and his family grew and moved away, they were never far from Mancil's heart or thoughts. He never forgot anyone on special occasions, always quick with a call or a card, and was just a phone call away when anyone needed a hand. Sadly, Mancil's beloved Marjorie died on October 19, 2004, after 56 wonderful years of marriage, which he took very hard, relying on his family for support, just as they always had in him. He soldiered on for a few years without her, though sadly, Mancil died on Monday, May 7, 2007, at the age of 84. Mancil was a wonderful man, a man who put such great love and loyalty into everything he did. He was a proud veteran, loving husband, father and grandfather, and a faithful friend. He was a man of tradition, and of loyalty, with a legacy that lives on today in all who knew him. He will be greatly missed. Surviving are his son, Greg (JayDene) Jenkins of Twin Lake; daughters, Deborha Jenkins of Nunica, Delores (Steve) Rose of Nunica; 4 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; brother, Harly (Phyllis) Jenkins of Arcadia, FL; sister-in-law, Betty (Bob) Behl of Cadillac. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his wife, Marjorie. Services are scheduled for Friday, May 11, 2007, 1 p.m. at Clock Chapel - Fruitport with Pastor Randy Blanchette, Rev. Paul Davis & Rev. Carlos Ramos officiating. Visitation is Thursday, 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. at Clock Life Story Funeral Home - Fruitport. 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