Early morning Thu, Oct 14, 1999, Homer Ingersoll crossed over life to be with his precious savior Jesus Christ. His loving brother Carl was by his side. He was 72.
Homer was born Feb 17, 1927, to Roy and Rose (Helsel) Ingersoll in Fife Lake. Almost 51 years ago he joined his life with Joyce Ann DeWyer, who lives on.
He served in the U.S. Army during WWII.
Homer and Joyce shared their life and raised a family in Redford and Fife Lake. Dad was a self-employed trucker/steel broker for over 17 years with a perfect safety road record. In 1964, he moved the family home to his beloved Northern Michigan. He worked for the Kalkaska County Road Commission until he retired.
To his friends and family he was loyal to a fault. He was a friend, hunting buddy, fisherman, and mechanic. He gave freely of himself, and as he aged people gave back to him.
To his wife he taught her that holding her in his arms made him a truly happy man and by his own words she was all he needed in life to get by.
To his kids he showed a man can cry and be gentle and loving. He taught them about Sunday School and family values. He was their hero and a true daddy and always there.
A man of strength and character, he built a home with no power tools. That home was a safe haven and refuge through the years.
He would have given his all to a friend in need. His passions in life were Ford pickup trucks and hunting deer. Many will remember Musselman Hills times, and Jay's Sport Shop in Clare. This time of year, the hills and the Manistee River became his home away from home.
He touched many lives with his loving, gentle, caring ways. He leaves behind many nurses, caregivers, and friends who meant so much to him.
Besides his beloved wife Joyce, he is survived by children Fred (Rose) of Mesick, Tina (Ralph) Groleau of Kalkaska, Kathy (Jay) Helsel and Frieda (Jim) McDaniel of Fife Lake, and Tim (Kimberly) of Kingsley; brothers Robert, Stanley, Carl, and Roy Lee of Fife Lake and South Boardman; sisters Violet Burns of Cadillac, Mildred Frye, Rose (Nanny) Cox, Helen Sloat of the Moorestown-Lake City area, Ginger Marrow and Linda Angell of the Fife Lake area; 14 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren.
To his grandsons he shared his passions of pickup trucks and hunting with an everlasting bond. To his granddaughters, a depth of love to the core of his heart. He was proud of all his grandkids.
To his many nephews and nieces he was lovingly known as "Uncle Diggy."
Preceding him in death were his parents and brother Frank.
