Mary Sinclair, 93

Mary (Callis) Sinclair, age 93, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 25, 2026, in Kalamazoo. Mary was born on March 3, 1932 in Grand Rapids to Hannah (Bates) Callis and Thomas Callis. She grew up as the seventh of eight children. When her father unexpectedly passed away in 1937, Mary and her younger sister, Shirley (Stone), were forced to grow up quickly. Their bond as sisters and lifelong friends endured until Mary’s passing.

As children, they worked hard picking raspberries and were rewarded with a nickel.  They would take the nickel, walk proudly to the take-out window at the Rockford Corner Bar, buy a hot dog, and share it as a treat. As adults, they laughed together while watching their husbands, Bob and Jerry, “break in” (or simply break) the children’s Christmas presents. Laughter was always plentiful. Shirley, now living in Sebring, Florida, is Mary’s only surviving sibling. Mary was preceded in death by her siblings Robert Tompkins, Raymond Tompkins, Duane Tompkins, Richard Tompkins, Nicholas Callis, and Wilda (Walker) McClusky.

After graduating from Rockford High School in 1950, fate stepped in when her brother Ray brought home a tall, skinny, red-haired friend for a visit. Ray played matchmaker, and it worked. Robert “Bob” Sinclair Sr. took one look at Mary, and the rest was history. They were married six months later, beginning a marriage that would last 71 years until Bob’s passing. Their love for one another was unconditional.

They were blessed with three children: their first son, Robert Sinclair Jr., born in 1951; a daughter, Brenda (Creager), born a year later; and after a nine-year break, their youngest son, Steve. All three children survive her and are happily married. Robert Jr. married Barbara Nash and lives in Vicksburg; Brenda married Donald Creager Sr. and lives in Three Rivers; and Steve married Mary Brown and lives in Katy, Texas.

Some of the greatest joys of Mary’s life were her seven grandchildren Suzanne (Eric) Egeler, Donald Jr (Andrea) Creager, Stephanie (Roger) Brenton, Robert III (Rose) Sinclair, Dawn (Nick) Griffith, and Adam (Michelle) Sinclair and Arden Sinclair along with seventeen great-grandchildren. She loved attending their sporting events, band and orchestra performances, and plays whenever possible. Mary also enjoyed swimming and racing the length of the pool with her grandchildren. She beamed with pride around them. Each one was special in her eyes, and she loved them all equally. Her legacy lives on through them.

The Sinclair home was a happy one. Bob worked for Simpson Paper, while Mary worked for several employers over the years, most notably First National Bank in Vicksburg, Franklin Hospital in Vicksburg, Vicksburg Community Schools, and the First Assembly of God in Kalamazoo. Mary was meticulous with numbers and loved staying busy-even into her 90s, proudly bragging that she could still balance her checkbook.

Mary enjoyed gardening and riding her bike around the neighborhood almost daily, until health issues eventually prevented her from continuing. Along the way, she made many friends, and her former neighbors, David and Deanna Vibbert, visited her often. Mary and Bob also loved board games and playing cards with friends and family. She seemed to have a natural luck and especially looked forward to her weekly Yahtzee games with Robert Jr.

Later in life, Mary discovered another passion: computers. She built her first computer, an IBM PC Jr., in the 1980s, and as her knowledge grew, she built computers for friends and family. She loved new technology and often attended computer shows with her friends, John and Bonnie Preston. She was always willing to help anyone who had a computer problem.

Mary found her greatest fulfillment in her relationship with God. A lifelong member of the Assemblies of God, she could be found there nearly every Sunday, often with Brenda by her side. Her pastor, Fred Betcher II, and his wife Kathy served as her spiritual guides and visited her regularly. Their visits meant so much to Mary and are deeply appreciated by the family. Mary also supported many charities and political candidates.

Mary was fiercely independent. Sadly, some of that independence was taken from her in later years as she developed dementia. Though some memories faded, she always remembered her children and her friends at church. Up until the day she passed, Mary wanted to be home.

Finally, her wish was granted on January 25, when God called her home for good.

A funeral service will be held at the funeral home on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at 11am. The family will receive friends on Saturday from 10am until the time of the service. Burial will be at Vicksburg Cemetery.

While at www.amsfuneralhomes.com please take time to sign Mary’s guestbook and share your favorite memory with his family. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial gifts be directed to Assembly of God Church, 30000 US-131, Schoolcraft, MI 49087.

The Sinclair family is being cared for by the Avink, McCowen & Secord Funeral Homes and Cremation Society, 409 South Main, Vicksburg, MI 49097 (269) 649-1697.