Obituaries

Sandra Jean Killips, age 77, of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, died on March 6, 2024, at MyMichigan Medical Center-Sault. She was born on April 21, 1946, in Tawas, Michigan, to William and Margaret (Scales) Newcomb.

Sandie grew up in Sault Ste. Marie and graduated from Sault High School. She attended Lake Superior State College and received an associate degree. Sandie was known to be a social butterfly, she enjoyed talking with people. Over the years, she worked at Woolsworth’s, The Copper Kettle, Kewadin Casino, and Walmart.

Sandie enjoyed spending time with her family and friends. She had a tender heart towards animals and was known to rescue them, and one of her favorite things to do was feed the squirrels. She was able to feed them out of her hand and had quite a bond with them. Sandie enjoyed sharing her stories as a child and she cherished the days when her father worked on the Mackinaw Bridge doing construction, their family would rent a cabin in St. Ignace on the beach, for three consecutive summers. Sandie could be found reading her books, camping, and swimming. At camp she won an award for being able to swim the furthest underwater.

Sandie is survived by her sons, John Garniss of Menominee, Michigan, Russ (Sandy) Garniss of Green Bay, Wisconsin; daughter, Lori (John) Van Wieringen of Spruce, Michigan; Step-Children, James (Kimberly) Killips, Paul (Darlene) Killips, Jerry (Donna) Killips, Jeff (Tammy) Killips, Carla (Ron) Cole, and Donna Killips; Siblings, William (Kristee) Newcomb of Las Vegas and Willma (Bob, deceased) Fleetwood of Green Bay; grandchildren, Hunter Garniss, Mandy (Adam) Templeton, Brandon (Sabrina) Killips, Samantha (Brandon) Garlinghouse, Andrea (Chance) Randall, Brian (Alexa) Killips, Kevin (Britney) Killips, and Trevor, Abby and Tyler Killips; great-grandchildren, Aidan, Elijah, and Malia Templeton, Alayna, Troy, Connor and Meadow Killips, Noah and Penelope Bernard, Mason and Cole Garlinghouse, and Cecilia Randall.

Sandie was preceded in death by her parents, William and Margaret Newcomb; first husband, Melvin Garniss; second husband, Gerald Killips; brothers, Barry Newcomb and Robert Newcomb; and sisters, Gail Newcomb and Judy Reid.

The family would like to express a special thank you to Jim Killips. Who time and time again went above and beyond helping on so many levels (Jerry would be very proud of you).

Celebration of Life will be held in the summer of 2024, date, and time to be determined later.

Sandie’s final resting place will be Oaklawn Chapel Gardens in Bruce Township, Michigan.

Family Life Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements. Condolences may be left to the family at www.familylifefh.com.