Obituary for Ione Ruth Shugart SUTTONS BAY – On Friday, June 22, 2018, Ione Ruth (Reincke) Shugart passed through this life to be with her Lord. Ione was the fourth child born to Howard W. and Celia (Belle) Hinshaw Reincke, on April 30, 1931, at their farm home in Keswick, Leelanau County. In early life and again after retirement Ione was an active member of Keswick United Methodist Church.
She began school in Keswick Grade School, graduating from Suttons Bay High School, with honors and a scholarship to (now) Central Michigan University. Ione graduated from Central in 1952, with a Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education. She first taught at Traverse Heights Elementary, moving to Mt.
Pleasant Pullen School, following her marriage to Rex O. Shugart in 1953. For several years, she supported her husband as he completed academic studies. Ione and Rex then returned to Traverse City, and she taught in Suttons Bay at the “Old Stone Schoolhouse” following the death of Peppi Teichner.
Ione then retired from teaching as she and her husband moved to Grand Rapids. For 37 years she enjoyed a full life in Grand Rapids, raising a family, becoming a “Professional Volunteer” at Faith United Methodist Church and her children’s elementary school. Ione enjoyed games of the mind and crossword puzzles in the daily newspaper.
She loved to cook and bake, especially for large groups and at smaller family gatherings. Her grandchildren thought Grandma’s cookies were the best, (so did Rex). Her love for children went far beyond the school classroom, making each child and youth feel they were a part of her life, remembering their name and birthday.
Mailing cards out in recognition of other people’s accomplishments and events was a weekly, sometimes daily, delight to her. She spent many summers with their children at their cottage on Lake Leelanau. Upon their retirement in 1995, Ione and Rex established their home in Bingham.
Surviving Ione are husband Rex, their two children, Steven R. (Shelly) Shugart of Traverse City and Diane L. Shugart of Chicago, IL; grandchildren Jessica M. (Josh) Carlson of Palo Alto, CA, Kelly N. (Mike) Wagner and Andrew N. Shugart, all of Traverse City. Preceding her death were Ione’s parents, sister, F. Lorraine (and William) Weigand, brother H. Wesley (and Donna) Reincke, brother-in-law Edward Drone and nephews Lynn Weigand and Victor L. Drone. Sisters Orpha L. Drone and Ann E. Reincke survive her as do nieces and nephews, James R. (Tawnya) Weigand, Jon W. (Kathy) Reincke, Sarah J. (John) Groesser, Philip A. Reincke, Carol M. Jackson, Alaine E. (Carl) Lacki, Susan G. (Frank) Bauer, Karen E. Reincke and many others who called her “Grandma” and “Aunt”.
Cremation has been performed. Interment in Bingham Cemetery and a Celebration of Ione’s life will be held by immediate family at a future date. For those who desire, contributions in Ione’s memory may be made to Keswick United Methodist Church 3376 S. Center Highway, Suttons Bay, MI 49682, or to Munson Hospice, c/o Munson Healthcare Foundation, 1150 Medical Campus Dr., Traverse City, MI 49684.
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