Karel Kay Finch
November 14th, 1941 - January 28th, 2024
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Karel's Obituary
Karel Kay (Collings) Finch (Commonly referred to as 'Sis', 'Auntie', and 'Gram'), age 82, of Eau Claire, MI, passed away on Sunday, January 28, 2024. Karel was born to Gary Benjamin and Edna Esther (Robinson) Collings on November 14, 1941, in La Porte, IN. Karel is predeceased by her sister, Phyllis Collings and her brother, Wayne Collings, and both of her parents.
Karel is survived by her beloved husband of 64 years, Dennis Dean Finch, a Walkerton boy whom she met in 1958 in Fish Lake, IN and wed on June 20, 1959. She is also survived by her three children whom she cherished, Roger (Kim) Finch, Jeff (Dawn) Finch, Kim (John) Kerkemeyer. She will also be sadly missed by her 6 grandchildren, Kriseda (Jazmel) Berrios, Tristan Finch, Amanda (Matt) Nowacki, Matthew (Clare Hennessy) Kerkemeyer, Ryan (Ashley) Finch, Sam (Cam Duncan) Finch, 6 great-grandchildren and a whole host of additional friends and family.
Karel was the sweetest soul. She was truly a friend to all - even those she only briefly met. Her greatest joy was being with her family. She enjoyed dancing, singing in the shower, cooking, a cold glass of Chardonnay and watching her shows on reality TV. She loved to entertain, especially around the holidays. You could always count on her to remember special dates and celebrate them with a card. She had a sparkle that will live on through all those who knew and loved her. She will be remembered for her heart of gold and for being a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and friend.
Her family will hold funeral services to celebrate her beautiful life on February 5th at 12:00 pm at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph, MI 49085. The family will be holding a viewing and will receive visitors for two hours prior to the service from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm. Following the service, Interment will take place at Kingsbury Cemetery in Kingsbury, IN where Karel will be laid to rest beside her Collings family members.
Karel's family wishes to thank the outstanding team at Gulf Coast Hospital in Panama City, FL for the excellent care they provided her in her final days.
It is also the family's wish that, in lieu of flowers, family and friends consider making a memorial donation to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, an organization Karel supported for many years. https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html.
Expressions of love and sympathy may be placed and viewed online at www.starks-menchinger.com
Karel is survived by her beloved husband of 64 years, Dennis Dean Finch, a Walkerton boy whom she met in 1958 in Fish Lake, IN and wed on June 20, 1959. She is also survived by her three children whom she cherished, Roger (Kim) Finch, Jeff (Dawn) Finch, Kim (John) Kerkemeyer. She will also be sadly missed by her 6 grandchildren, Kriseda (Jazmel) Berrios, Tristan Finch, Amanda (Matt) Nowacki, Matthew (Clare Hennessy) Kerkemeyer, Ryan (Ashley) Finch, Sam (Cam Duncan) Finch, 6 great-grandchildren and a whole host of additional friends and family.
Karel was the sweetest soul. She was truly a friend to all - even those she only briefly met. Her greatest joy was being with her family. She enjoyed dancing, singing in the shower, cooking, a cold glass of Chardonnay and watching her shows on reality TV. She loved to entertain, especially around the holidays. You could always count on her to remember special dates and celebrate them with a card. She had a sparkle that will live on through all those who knew and loved her. She will be remembered for her heart of gold and for being a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and friend.
Her family will hold funeral services to celebrate her beautiful life on February 5th at 12:00 pm at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph, MI 49085. The family will be holding a viewing and will receive visitors for two hours prior to the service from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm. Following the service, Interment will take place at Kingsbury Cemetery in Kingsbury, IN where Karel will be laid to rest beside her Collings family members.
Karel's family wishes to thank the outstanding team at Gulf Coast Hospital in Panama City, FL for the excellent care they provided her in her final days.
It is also the family's wish that, in lieu of flowers, family and friends consider making a memorial donation to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, an organization Karel supported for many years. https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html.
Expressions of love and sympathy may be placed and viewed online at www.starks-menchinger.com
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