Linn Sheckler

March 13, 1923 - November 12, 2020

****SERVICE DETAILS**** A graveside service with proper military honors will take place Monday June 14th at 10:00am at Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens. A luncheon will follow immediately at the VFW Post located at 3400 Veterans Drive. Linn E. Sheckler of Traverse City, passed away at home on Nov. 12, 2020 in the presence of his loving family. He was 97 years old. Linn was born in Battle Creek on March 13, 1923, to Linn Sheckler Sr. and Ethel (Barnett) Sheckler. Linn spent the early years of his life in Allegan County and graduated from Fennville High School with the class of 1941. Linn recounts those years as some of the happiest of his young life, playing on the school's athletic teams and growing up in a great community with great classmates. After graduating from high school Linn joined the navy. He served his country in World War II aboard the USS Adair APA 91 in the Pacific, taking part in the liberation of the Philippines and the last invasion of World War II on Okinawa. Upon returning home Linn used the GI Bill and attended Davenport College in Grand Rapids, studying business administration and marketing. It is there that he met his future wife, Lois Geraldine (Gerry) Spencer. They were married in 1947, a marriage that lasted 63 years until Gerry preceded him in death in 2011. Linn worked for Kellogg Company of Battle Creek in the sales and marketing division for 31 years in both the Grand Rapids and Traverse City areas. Linn and his family were members of Berean Baptist Church in Grand Rapids and in 1967 joined Bethany Baptist Church after a move to Traverse City. After retiring from Kellogg in 1982, Linn and Gerry published the Water Wonderland historic map. They also were determined to stay physically active and joined several square dancing and round dancing groups in both Traverse City and Destin Florida where they spent the winters. They also took several trips to the British Isles as well as other destinations. Linn always said "I never regretted one penny I spent traveling." Linn is survived by his three children, Kathleen Davis, of Central Lake, Janet (Matthew) Stratton. of Frankfort and Doug Sheckler, of Traverse City. He is also survived by four grandchildren, Elizabeth (Jason) Jones, Jennifer Coipel, Kelly (Randy) Bergsma, and Jillian Burton; as well as three great grandchildren, Scarlett, Henry and Zachary. Linn was preceded in death by his wife, Gerry; and his parents, as well as three brothers, Merrill, Lester and Earl; and three sisters, Blanch, Tressa and Lois.