Earl I. “Skip” Lewis, age 89, of Rapid River passed away peacefully on Monday, February 14, 2022 at the Christian Park Healthcare Center in Escanaba, MI.
Earl was born June 6, 1932 in Milan, MI the son of Hal and Louise (Ferrington) Lewis.
He was united in marriage to Dorothy Matt March 11, 1950.
For many years he was a police officer for the City of Ann Arbor and a Sheriff’s Deputy for Washtenaw County, retiring in 1970. Following retirement Skip and Dorothy moved to Gladstone and operated the Norway Pines Motel until 1974. Dorothy passed on October 1, 1974.
On August 23, 1975 Skip married Kathleen “Kathy” Sue Steinen. They were married for 46 years until her passing January 1, 2022. He was a member of Calvary Lutheran Church in Rapid River and was an operation engineer with Davis Construction. They “wintered” in Biloxi where they enjoyed making new friends, walking on the beach and playing blackjack. He won several big tournaments and even taught the game.
Skip was always quick with a joke and loved camping, fishing, snowmobiling, hunting and his family.
Skip is survived by his children, Carol (Heidi) Leece, Linda (Tony) Raney, Debbie (Doug) Van Gemert, Barbara (Tom) Rose, Danielle (Michael) LeBeau, Nancy (Kiyoshi) Poynter and Jim (Sandy) Schutz, 78 grandchildren, great grandchildren and great greatgrandchildren and his brother Warren ( Maureen) Lewis and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wives Dorothy and Kathy, his brother Stephen (Jan still living) Lewis and his granddaughters, Cora Louise Raney and Rachel Elizabeth Browne.
The family will receive friends on Saturday, August 6, from 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM at the Calvary Lutheran Church in Rapid River. Memorial services will follow at 12:00 PM with Pastor Stephen Gauger officiating. A luncheon will follow at the Rapid River Lions Club. He will be laid to rest in the Gardens of Rest Cemetery.
The family is being assisted by the Skradski Funeral Home in Gladstone.
Marion Conwell - Biloxi, MS
Kathy and Skip are missed by their Biloxi friends who enjoyed playing cards and games with them. They are together again.
Tom Penegor - Escanaba, MI
Our family was neighbors with Skip and Dorothy in Milan back in the early 60’s. Our families would get together regularly for various occasions. I remember once they went to a Tiger game against the Yanks when Maris hit his 59 th home run in 1961. Our family (The Penegor’s) are from the Ontonagon area and Mass City.
Maurice and Bernice with 4 children.
I know my parents kept in touch over the years and would visit a few times. They both passed in 2017 and are solely missed. I hope to make the August service.
May God Bless you and your family our thoughts and prayers are with you too.
Haley Bennett - Ocean Springs, MS
Skip and Kathy were my favorite snow-birds. I was their dealer in the blackjack tournament at the Hard Rock in Biloxi for years. I always looked forward to their stories and company. I was saddened to hear of their passing. They were the sweetest couple and I loved them dearly. RIP, my beautiful friends.
C ousin, Jimmy - Milan, MI
To “Skippy”, I think of once and a while, like know, we Jean & I have a mulberry in our back yard and also had one at the farm I was raised, cousin Skippy would come down and we would raid the tree. He was a couple years and had a lot fun at our place or their place. When He was on washten aw Sher. I turn Coney down Milan, went less then a block, siren started blowing, pulled me over, and officer came up to my and car and here was cousin Skippy!!!
Matt Cutter - Richfield, MN
Our condolences to the family. Skip was good people, and will surely be missed.