Nadine Binkley

Nadine Binkley was a joyful person and almost always had a smile on her face. Her outlook on life was always positive and she was never one to complain. She lived her life by modeling a lifetime of hard work and providing for those she loved; especially her children and grandchildren. She recently became a great-grandmother as well. She leaves behind a rich collection of special memories over the years, for her loved ones to cherish forever.

On April 12, 1943 her parents, Earl and Jewel brought her home to Waynesville, Missouri. Born to hardworking parents who owned a Texaco gas station, Nadine grew up knowing the value of money and using her resources to survive in hard times.

Sharing her childhood with four other siblings, Nadine stood out as the mischievous one. She loved to play shenanigans on her siblings such as making mud pies and convincing her sisters, Irene and Pauline into eating them. Once while Nadine was sitting on the ledge heading down into the family’s cellar, she vehemently told her sister, Pauline there wasn’t any room for her. She placed her father’s axe on the seat next to her and without Pauline knowing it was there, her sister sat right on it! It's a good thing that Nadine's personality was otherwise charming, making her siblings easily able to forgive her. Nadine attended local schools and was very proud of her first job as an A & W car hop waitress. She shared some fun stories with the family.

While she and her sister, Pauline were bartending at the local bar near the military base, she met Harold Binkley, who she married on New Years Day by the justice of the peace. He worked for Binkley Service, a business started by his father Bernie in the early 1950’s As Harold and Nadine grew in understanding how to run a business they started Great Lakes Sand Company. The young couple ran the company, working and playing together until Harold was killed in a snowmobile accident, leaving Nadine to take over the business in 1982. Despite the odds of a woman succeeding in the Trucking business she went on to receive recognition as one of the first female owned business enterprises and took the company that had started to falter after Harold’s death and turned into a larger enterprise! Great Lakes Sand went on to play a significant role in the original construction of the 1-696 highway. She has two beautiful daughters, Julie and Lori. As a hardworking mother Nadine modeled for them a lifetime of commitment and perseverance without sacrificing family time and fun.

During the cold days of winter, the family enjoyed snowmobiling, using their old converted school bus to haul their customized trailers that made them look like they were a snowmobile business at times instead of a family. Waiting for just the right conditions and a forecast of nature’s powder, they spent every waking moment on the snowmobile trails together. In the beautiful Michigan summers, they spent their days out on the lake boating. Harold loved being the captain of their 40 foot Viking Yacht, where he would joke with Nadine by having the girls jump from the bridge of the boat and then holler that her kids fell overboard!

Several years after Harolds death, Nadine started dating her current significant other, William Scheppe.She moved her business and home to Milford where grandchildren spent many days playing at the garage while Grandma and Julie worked. She spent hours with the grandkids driving around her milford home on the golf cart that has provided years of fun and entertainment for all the grandkids.

Nadine bought a second home on Houghton Lake where they spent many memorable moments. She enjoyed special moments like having the kids over to watch them play at the island in the lake. Spent hours playing marbles on a homemade board and playing cards. Once a month, Nadine and her first granddaughter, Shelby, would meet for lunch to catch up. Shelby has moved out of state, so whenever they were able to meet up to catch up, they picked up right where they left off. Red Robin was her favorite lunch spot, and enjoyed her crispy chicken salad…with extra poppy seed dressing, of course!

These lasting memories were special to Nadine over the years, but nothing brought her greater joy than the season of Christmas and giving. She cherished hosting the Christmas Day breakfast each year and then watching her family open the multitude of gifts she had purchased for them. Nadine’s heart was full when she knew that everyone was made to feel special and that she could afford them the things they truly wanted.

Nadine’s personality was always lighthearted and cheerful. She was an enormous fan of Elvis Presley. In addition to following his music, she savored the popular television show, American Idol. She’d even go as far as contacting her family and friends urging them to cast their vote for the contestants she felt were the most deserving. She also similarly loved the show, Dancing with the Stars for the same reason. In between their air times, she passed the time by fervently reading as much of her favorite romance novels by author, Danielle Steele as she could get her hands on. Nadine was a special person who lived selflessly providing her family with a bright future. Described as inspirational, hard working, and loving, Nadine will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.

Nadine Binkley, age 73, passed away on December 9, 2016 at home with family in Milford, Michigan. She is survived by significant other, William Scheppe. Her dearest longtime friend, Eileen Beale. Her children; Julie Teeter and Lori & Brian Levi. Grandchildren; Russell & Jenna Black, Devin & Brittney Black, Shelby & LaAdrian Waddle, Jeffery & Anna Levi, Jeremy & Amber Levi, Porscha Levi, and Brietta Levi. Great Grandchildren; Blaylenn Levi, Blakeli Levi, Skyler Black, and Haley Black. Siblings; Jr, Irene, and Ted.

Family will receive friends Monday 2-9 p.m. at the Neely-Turowski Life Story Funeral Home 30200 Five Mile (between Middlebelt & Merriman). Services will be held Tuesday at 12:00 p.m. at Neely-Turowski Life Story Funeral Home 30200 Five Mile (between Middlebelt & Merriman). Memorial contributions are to be made to St. Jude under the ID #10659569.