Samuel C. Spink

Samuel Carey Spink – Jacksonville, IL; Galesburg, IL; Marco Island and Naples, FL; summer resident of Madison, WI died November 25, 2018.

Sam was born July 25, 1927, the youngest of twin boys born to Earl and Lytie (Snoddy) Spink in Jacksonville, IL.  James Earl and Samuel Carey Spink joined their eldest brother Robert (Bob) and older sisters Ruth, Ann and Martha.  Memories were always shared as “Jim and Sam” or “the twins”.  Summers were spent in Waupaca, WI. Family memories exploring Minor and Dake Lake, fishing, boating and playing cards were recounted and shared. The twins were well known athletes, co-captions of their high school and college football teams.  They both enlisted in the Navy during WWII at the age of 17.  After the war ended, they were honorably discharged their mother insisted they walk across the stage for their High School graduation.  She later said it was one of the proudest moments of her life.

While attending Illinois College in Jacksonville, IL his sister Martha attended the nearby MacMurray College.  One day she came home and told Sam she’d met a wonderful girl new to her sorority who was beautiful and had the most amazing laugh.  Intrigued, he met Margaret Jane Karraker, from Jonesboro, IL.  He asked her for a date the following Saturday and she said she was busy (and she was).  He asked her the following Saturday with the same response.  He finally asked her when exactly she would free and they set a date two months in advance. He later said, “Once she and I started dating; all those other boys just fell away”.

Sam and Jane were married April 14, 1951.  Jane predeceased him on March 5, 2016, a month prior to their 65TH wedding anniversary.  Sam is survived by their two daughters, Susan Jane (Bonnie Paolini) of Rancho Cordova, CA; and Carey Ann, Madison, WI; grandchildren Sam (Katie) Wells (Middleton, WI), Emily (Chris Kristiansen) Wells, (Luxembourg, Luxembourg) Jillian Spink (Beaverton, OR) and Hilary Spink (Madison, WI) and his great-grandson Bowen Wells (Madison, WI). He is further survived by many nieces and nephews whom he loved deeply and who loved their Uncle Sam!  He also is survived by a special friend, Jean Butler, who brought laughter and love into our Dad’s life again after losing our Mom.

Sam began his career at Gale Products in Galesburg, IL as a sales manager for Lawn Boy, Johnson and Evinrude Motors.  Boating and fishing remained a constant in his life.  From his first pontoon to his Chris Craft and Carver Cabin cruisers, he loved every moment he was on the water.  Summer vacations and weekends found us going up and down the Mississippi, and later fishing with his Grady White fishing boat in the Gulf.  Each year he would bring a boat motor to Waupaca for the family to use, boating and waterskiing meant spending time with our extended family, which he loved.  He later retired as the Division Manager of Outboard Marine Parts & Associates and Vice President of Outboard Marine Corporation.  Upon retirement, he found a new passion in bike riding, participating in many weekend charity rides as well as biking from Canada to Mexico and across county.

No words can adequately describe our father, grandfather, and friend.  His support was unwavering, he was a steady presence with a sly sense of humor.  When asked what he wanted his obituary to include, he said “He came, he went”.

People gravitated to him, he was a great life advisor, coach, and friend.  A life-long Cubs and Bears fan, he marveled when the Cubs won the pendant and enjoyed this great start to the Bears season.  We love you Dad, we cherish your memory and you will be with us forever in our hearts and minds. 

It is with deep appreciation and fellowship that we thank Avow Hospice for the care of our father and their support of our family as he traveled his road home.  Memorials can be made to Avow Hospice in Naples, FL or the American Lung Association.