Patrick Wabanimkee

Patrick Wabanimkee of East Jordan, Michigan, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather passed away at Grandvue Medical Care Facility on March 28, 2026.

He was preceded in death by his son Tracy Wabanimkee, and grandson Samuel Kiernan.

He is survived by his wife Virginia (Sineway) Wabanimkee and his children:  Linda Wabanimkee (Kevin Matson), Jude (Kerry) Rice, Leigh (Calvin) Fernstrum, and Carolyn (Santos) Murguia.  He is also survived by his grandchildren:  Crystal Wabanimkee, Mellissa (Matthew) Sleider, Kyle Wabanimkee, Shane (Jeanna) Cates, Eric Cates, Caitlynn Marin, Lorenzo Wabanimkee, Jaclyn Close, Sarah Bouwma and Leanne Bouwma, and ten great-grandsons and ten great-granddaughters.

Patrick was born on March 17, 1932 on St. James, Beaver Island, Michigan to Simon and Nancie (Cornstalk) Wabanimkee.

Patrick grew up on Beaver Island, Michigan. As a teenager he worked at a sawmill stacking lumber and operating the carriage which carried the logs to be cut.  At the age of 18, he joined the U.S. Air Force for four years.  He attended a school for Electronic Radio and Transmitters at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois.  He was stationed in Guam for two years where he and three other airmen operated a remote radar and communications relay site during the Korean Conflict. 

Patrick first met Virginia Sineway at the Traverse City Cherry Festival and they were married on May 31, 1958.  Their first child was born in Michigan, and then they moved to Racine, Wisconsin, where they completed their family.

Patrick worked primarily for AMC/Chrysler and Young Radiator Company, as well as for the GTB Charlevoix Satellite Office as a building maintenance worker after retirement.

His favorite activities were playing pool, bowling, doing crossword puzzles and lapidary.  He was also a member of the Racine Moose Lodge.

Upon his and his wife’s retirement, they moved to East Jordan, Michigan to enjoy their golden years.  He was a member of St. Joseph’s Church in East Jordan and a GTB Tribal Elder.

Visitation and mass will be held at 10:00 am on April 11, 2026 at St. Joseph Catholic Church.  Following the church service, burial will be held at St. Joseph Calvary Cemetery with full military honors conducted by members of the United States Air Force and East Jordan American Legion Post 227.

Following burial, everyone is invited to a meal at the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indian Center located at 10085 Wa-Ba-Noong Mi-Kun Road, East Jordan, Michigan.

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