Craig VanSickle

A stranger to none and a friend to all, Craig VanSickle was known far and wide for his kind heart and generous spirit. He was an avid outdoorsman to whom spending time in the woods with friends and family was his greatest passion. To Craig, one of the best things in life were the close relationships he fostered with his family, and spending time on the golf course with his two uncles and cousin is where some of his fondest memories were made. Craig was so full of life and love, his days cut short much too soon for those that loved him so dearly.

During a decade in which the civil rights movement was gaining momentum, a vaccine for polio was developed, and the first domestic jet-airliner had begun service, America was experiencing a bit of a metamorphosis with numerous new ideas and experiences. The world of sports was alive and well also as Arnold Palmer consistently topped the leaderboard in golf, and Jackie Robinson and Hank Aaron ruled the baseball field. It was also during this great generation that Joe and Joyce VanSickle were celebrating the birth of their son Craig. Craig joined older sister Sue in his family and was raised on the family farm in mid-Michigan. With the birth of his younger sister Joanie, the VanSickle family was complete. During his formative years Craig shared a very special relationship with his Grandpa VanSickle, and it was he who taught Craig the ropes about farming in the gravel road using a yard rake.

Although he loved farming, education was important too, and Craig attended Fulton Schools. Although he was raised with two sisters, Craig was truly all boy as when he was in high school, he was actively involved in many sports. He was the starting guard on the basketball team, the catcher for the baseball team, and the quarterback of the football team as well. Craig was both outgoing and quiet, traits that would remain with him throughout his entire lifetime. While in high school his group of friends nicknamed him “Curly.”

Once out of school, Craig continued farming on his family farm, an activity he thoroughly enjoyed. Michigan has always been rich in agriculture and with its diverse climates, the second most agriculturally diverse state in the nation. With over 53,000 farms statewide, Craig was certainly in good company, especially in his neck of the woods.

There were some additional interests that he enjoyed pursuing also. Craig’s love for the outdoors spilled over into many other areas . He enjoyed hunting – especially for squirrels, fishing, and golf. He even had a weekly golf date with his two uncles and cousin at Huckleberry Creek Golf Club located in nearby Pewamo. Family was always of great importance to Craig, and he cherished the time he spent with his two uncles no matter what they were doing. One of Craig’s happiest times was spent on a camping and fishing trip to Big Bay De Noc with his cousin Lou. Big Bay is truly a fisherman’s dream come true as it boasts of over 90 thousand acres of water located in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula where fishing is both exciting and productive year round. It is easy to see why Craig was certainly in all his glory on that trip.

Craig was a man of great character in so many ways. He was a man of integrity with a strong work ethic that can be so hard to find these days. Craig believed in working hard in order to not only provide for his own needs, but also to give to those around him whenever the opportunity arose. He fostered a very generous heart, and it was common knowledge that he would give anything he could to someone in need. Craig was also an easy going man with a laid back personality. It was said that Craig never met a stranger, and he enjoyed meeting new people along his life’s journey.

With a great love for the outdoors and a heart that beat to help others, Craig VanSickle was a man who touched the hearts and lives of many within his reach. He loved farming on his family farm, and enjoyed spending time with the family that meant so much to him all throughout his lifetime. Although Craig’s family and friends say goodbye and will miss him dearly, they cherish each and every memory of him that have now become like priceless treasures.

Craig A. VanSickle died at home in Lansing on Thursday, September 17, 2009. Craig’s family includes his parents, Joe (Joyce) VanSickle of Maple Rapids, sisters, Sue (James) Balger and Joanie (Todd) Birdsall; nieces, Abbi Balger and Julee Birdsall; nephews, Michael Balger, Mark Birdsall and David Birdsall. Craig was preceded in death by his grandparents. Funeral services will be at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, September 19, 2009, at the Abbott Chapel of Osgood Funeral Homes, 509 E. Main St, Maple Rapids, with Pastor John Gosselin officiating and burial following at Sowle Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Saturday from 11:00 to 1:00 p.m. prior to the service. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you can leave a favorite memory or photo, sign the online guestbook, or make a memorial contribution to Assertive Community Treatment, 510 S. Washington St., Owosso, MI 48867.