Every once in a while you meet someone you immediately connect with. It was like that with Jake. When I introduced myself and caught that twinkle in his eyes, it was like I'd known him all my life.

And he was ornery. When I tried to photograph him he refused to cooperate. He kept making horrible faces and opening his mouth full of food. I was lucky to get one decent shot.

A song for you, Jake. Enjoy the new coat.

Two Coats
(Traditional)

Two coats were before me
An old and a new
I asked my Sweet Master
Oh what must I do

I'll tell you the best thing
I ever did do
I took off the old coat
And put on the new


Jake Riley Sink

LASHMEET — God came and took another special angel on Friday, Nov. 10, 2006. Mr. Sink, 89, was a resident of Lashmeet. He passed away at his daughter Jenny's home in Princeton following a long illness.

Born Aug. 2, 1917 at Herndon, he was the son of the late Marion Sink and Mary White Sink. Mr. Sink was a veteran of the U.S. Army having served during World War II. He was in the 79th Division, 313 Regiment, Company B. He was a sergeant and a member of the machine gun squad. He participated in the Normandy Campaign, Cherborg Battle, Hurtgen Forrest Battle and the Battle of the Bulge. He was an avid hunter up to his 88th year. He was of the Protestant faith and a retired coal miner from Eastern Coal Company at Herndon. He had 35 years of underground experience. He was a proud member of the U.M.W.A. Mr. Sink was the last surviving member of his immediate family.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Woodrow Sink and Bill Sink; and five sisters, Arabella Mullins, Ada Hylton, Vicie McKinney, Julie Shrewsbury and Gracie Milam.

Survivors include his loving wife of 66 years, Monie Meadows Sink; four daughters, Mildred McKinney, Patsy Kessler, Jenny Harmon and her former husband John Harmon, and Nellie Bowman and her husband Ron; two sons, Jerry Sink and his wife Bonita, and Gerald Sink and his wife Lisa; 14 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, four great-great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; and his faithful beagle, Rusty.

Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2006 at the Rowland H. Bailey Funeral Chapel of the Bailey-Kirk Funeral Home in Princeton with the Revs. Marvin McKinney and Walter Shrewbridge officiating. Interment will follow at Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Princeton where military rites will be conducted by the Mercer County Veterans Council.

Serving as pallbearers will be his grandsons, Heath Harmon, Jamie McKinney, Alvin McKinney Jr., Derek Kessler, Greg Kessler, Chase Bowman and Dane Sink. Honorary pallbearers will be Alvin Shrewsbury, Paul Felger, Ron Bowman, Isaac Perkins, John Lusk and Devin Lusk.

Friends may call today from 6-8 p.m. at the Bailey-Kirk Funeral Home in Princeton. To view a video tribute of Mr. Sink or send the family online condolences, please visit www.bailey-kirk.com