John Leonard Kinney

John Leonard Kinney, 66, of South Albion Township died peacefully at home early Saturday morning, July 4, 2015. Born February 3, 1949 in Albion, Michigan to Fred and Marguerite (Weers) Kinney, he is survived by his sister and brother-in-law Mary (Kinney) and David Habicht, niece Helen Habicht, and cousins Barbara Middleton, Shirley Paskett and James Rausch. John attended Howell Country School and the Albion Public Schools, graduating in 1967. He attended Michigan State University where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Crop and Soil Science.

John returned to his family’s Burr Oak Farms (est. 1837) where he remained employed until his death. John was an avid gardener, painter, and in the 1970’s mentored youth as leader of an Explorer troop. He built a log cabin on the Kalamazoo River on the Weers’ farm, which he inherited from his maternal grandparents. His passion for local history led John to long associations with both the Homer Historical Society and the Paddock-Hubbard House Memorial Museum in Concord, MI. John was author of the First Presbyterian Church, A Sesquicentennial History (1987) and Beneath the Old Burr Oak (2000), an extensive family history and genealogy. A lifelong member of the First Presbyterian Church of Albion, John was an elder, taught Sunday school, sang in the choir and served on the session.

John’s membership in 4-H led to involvement in many community and agricultural organizations. He served on the boards of the Soil Conservation District, the B.E. Henry scholarship fund, Progressive Farmers, and the South Albion Community Club. A man of broad interests, John’s further activities included collecting antiques, outdoor cooking, flower gardening, raising fruit trees, canoeing, singing and playing piano. John’s extended family was important to him. He loved planning and helping with large meals at countless holiday celebrations and family occasions. He loved to play cards. He enjoyed his pets. Most of all, John loved to gather his many friends at annual events for food, games, jokes and story-telling with lots and lots of laughter.

Visitation for family and friends will be held Tuesday, July 7, 2015 from 1:00-4:00PM

at the ERIE STREET CHAPEL of J. Kevin Tidd Funeral Home, 208 W. Erie Street,

Albion, Michigan 49224. Funeral Service will be held Wednesday, July 8, 2015 at

1:00 P.M. at the Universalist Church, 200 Hanover Street, Concord, Michigan 49237 with

Rev. Charlotte Ellison officiating.

Burial will be held Thursday, July 9th at Riverside Cemetery, Albion, MI.

Memorial Contributions may be made to: First Presbyterian Church of Albion, Homer Historical Society, Paddock-Hubbard House Memorial Museum or B.E. Henry Memorial Scholarship Fund envelopes available at the funeral home.

www.kevintiddfuneralhome.com