Richard E. Sinelli

He was born on June 12, 1934, in Ann Arbor, Mich., son of the late John P. and Janice L. (Stimpson) Sinelli. Dick was the firstborn son. He was educated at St. Thomas High School in Ann Arbor, Eastern Michigan University (BSBA-accounting), and the University of Michigan (graduate studies).

After college, Dick worked for several large corporations serving in various management positions in financial, operational, and general management. The corporations included Ford Motor Company in Dearborn, Mich.; International Telephone & Telegraph in Kansas City, Mo.; and Lear Siegler Inc. in Kalamazoo, Mich. and Muskegon, Mich. Dick reached the pinnacle of his career in 1986 when he was appointed president of Lear Siegler Inc.-Burroughs.

After an early retirement in 1993, Dick began selling real estate in Kalamazoo and then Ann Arbor. This second career lasted 13 years and ended in 2006 when he and his second wife, Marilyn K. (Fayas) Sinelli, moved to Marilyn’s hometown of Iron Mountain.

During the Korean Conflict, Dick volunteered to be drafted. During his two years in the Army, he served as a noncommissioned officer in the military police at Fort Bragg, N.C., and at Frankfurt, Germany. He was a member of the American Legion.

Dick was always active in sports, both as a participant and as a fan. He particularly liked football, basketball, skiing and golf. He also enjoyed jogging, jogging over 20 miles per week for 18 years.

Survivors include his loving wife, Marilyn K. Sinelli; Richard’s two daughters, Carrie (Michael) Roty of Kalamazoo, Mich. and Julie (David) Willard of Mt. Clemens, Mich.; two stepsons, William Shaw III of Chicago and Robert Shaw of Kalamazoo; six granddaughters, Garbrielle, Georgette and Camille Roty and Ashley, Kailey, and Oliva Daniels; one grandson, Garon Richard Daniels; and one sister, Jacquelyn Sinelli of Newport, Ore.

In addition to his parents, Dick was preceded in death by two brothers, Robert L. and John P. Sinelli.

The Funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday, Sept. 6, at 11 a.m. at American Martyrs Catholic Church in Kingsford. The Rev. Father Gregory Heikkala will officiate.

Friends may leave condolences and tributes to Dick’s family online at www.jacobsfuneralhomes.com.

The family has chosen Jacobs Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Iron Mountain to honor Dick’s legacy of life.