Jack Ingalls, age 85, passed away peacefully on October 29, 2024, at his home in St. Ignace, Michigan. He was born on June 19, 1939, to Delbert and Celia (Crain) Ingalls, on the family farm in East Jordan. His courageous battle with serious medical issues over the past year showed his “farmer tough” attitude, determined to stick around a little longer to enjoy precious time with his family and friends.
Mr. Ingalls, aka Coach or Grandpa Jack, was instrumental in his role as teacher, administrator and coach in Vestaburg and Gladstone, Michigan. He also assisted the St. Ignace and East Jordan Basketball programs. Coach Jack Ingalls led his Gladstone Braves Basketball teams to many championships and helped shape the lives of many student athletes. In 2018, Jack was inducted into the UP Sports Hall of Fame, supported by so many of those whom he had a profound effect in athletics and in life. He was also inducted into the Hall of Fame in Vestaburg and Gladstone for his distinguished coaching career and leadership in basketball, football, track, baseball, and Little League. Jack was a fantastic softball player in the Petoskey Fast Pitch League, excelling for 14 years as an outfielder and hitter, and especially known for his drag bunts and lightning-fast speed on the base paths.
Jack attended East Jordan Schools and graduated in 1957. Jack then attended Central Michigan University where he ran track and met his first wife, Mary Lou (Snyder). Jack and Mary Lou spent many years on the ball fields playing fast pitch throughout the state. They shared a love of sports, coaching and teaching. They have two children, Doug (Dorene) Ingalls of St. Ignace, Michigan and Lyndel (David) Sage of Advance, Michigan.
After Mary Lou’s death in 1996, he met his current wife, Margaret (LaChapelle) Ingalls while at a State Finals basketball game and were married in July 2011. Jack and Margaret enjoyed attending ball games, traveling and spending time with grandchildren Luke Sage, Jackson and Jonathan Ingalls. Margaret was by her husband’s side every step of the way over the past year and she helped him attend many sporting events and other activities including small trips to the farm in East Jordan and other short excursions.
Jack is survived by his wife, Margaret; two children, Doug (Dorene) Ingalls and Lyndel (David) Sage; two step-children, Andrea (Mark) Palmer and Tim (Lisa) Howey; three grandchildren, Luke Sage, Jackson Ingalls, and Jonny Ingalls; three step-grandchildren, Tyler, Lauren and Will; brothers, J. M. (Charlene) Ingalls, Everett (Linda) Ingalls, and Allen (Colleen) Ingalls; and sister, Ila Cox; and nieces and nephews, Ann, Nancy, Mitch, Mike, Matt, Del, Todd, Joelyn, Brendan, J.C., Jason, John, Brenda, Jeff, Sheila, Brian, and Brad.
Jack was preceded in death by his first wife Mary Lou; parents, Delbert and Celia; brother-in-law, Jerry Cox; sister, Lyndel Vander Ark; and brother-in-law, Keith Vander Ark.
A Visitation will take place at St. Ignatius Loyola Catholic Church, 120 Church Street, St. Ignace, MI 49781, on Saturday, November 2, 2024, from 10:00 AM until 12:00 Noon. The Funeral Service will immediately follow at 12:00 Noon.
The Burial will take place at 11:00 AM at Ellsworth Cemetery, 9870 Eaton Rd. Ellsworth, MI 49729, on Monday, November 4, 2024.
Family Life Funeral Homes assisted the family with arrangements. Condolences may be left to the family at www.familylifefh.com.
