Obituary of Michael John Jenkins
Michael J. Jenkins, departed this world on September 18, 2018. In his 75 years here, he imparted many gifts. As a father and grandfather, he was loving and unwaveringly supportive with the perfect blend of steadfastness and silliness. He was smitten with and devoted to his true love, Marjorie W. Jenkins, for more than 60 years. He was a friend who showed up to lend a hand or an ear or a reason to chuckle —often all three. He was a business man who put people first, a valued community member who was generous with his time and talents, someone who stepped up and could be counted on, a creative tinkerer and skilled fixer of things, a proud citizen, and a veteran. He moved through life with abundant good cheer, even when facing difficulties. His comic wit brightened countless days for so many. He took pleasure in cool cars, chainsaws, old coins, firearms, inside jokes, and spread sheets, and made the best grilled cheese sandwiches this side of the Mississippi.
Mike was born in Reading, PA on September 5, 1943 to John Courtney Jenkins and Elizabeth Wilding Jenkins. He served in the US Navy from 1961-1964 and was the electronics technician on the destroyer escort USS Peterson during that time. In recent times, he reconnected with shipmates at various USS Peterson reunions held in Key West, FL and other east coast port cities. These were fun, memorable trips that he enjoyed with his wife, Marge.
Mike moved to East Smithfield, PA from Windsor, CT in the spring of 1990 at which time he and Marge became co-proprietors, with long-time, dear friends Zane and Mary Ellen Chamberlain, of the Tom Jack Trading Post formerly on Main Street. In 1994, after retiring from the general store business, Mike and Marge opened Jenkins' Versatile Shop on Main Street where it thrived for 17 years and became a fixture of the region.
In addition to his wife of 53 years, Marjorie Wolf Jenkins, he leaves behind daughters Susan Jenkins Smith (Matthew) and Lauren Jenkins Kirkpatrick (C. David), grandchildren Avery Matthew Smith, Amelia Margaret Smith, Bailey Elizabeth Kirkpatrick and Angus Michael Kirkpatrick. He is predeceased by his brother John Courtney Jenkins, Jr. and leaves behind sister-in-law Barbara Jenkins, niece Karen Shenk (Scott), and grandnephew Zachary Shenk. He was deeply loved and is terribly missed.
