Arlie Raymond Kinnee

Arlie Raymond Kinnee, 87 passed away on December 12, 2013 in Lansing, MI. He was born on September 24, 1926 in Iron Mountain, MI to Otto and Emily Kinnee. After working in the shipyards as a welder while attending Sturgeon Bay High School in Wisconsin, he enlisted in the US Navy Sea Bees and served in the South Pacific. From there, he moved to Lansing, MI and majored in Civil Engineering at MSU. During his 35 years in the Department of Natural Resources, he became a Professional Engineer and a Professional Land Surveyor.

Arlie was preceded in death by his wife, Doreen (nee Thompson); son, David; sister, Lyla Jean Childers; grandson, Cedric; and step daughter, Lisbeth Lipke. He is survived by his wife, Lee Ann Kinnee; brother-in-law, Gerald Childers; his son, Ted Raymond Kinnee (Darlene) of Lansing; daughters, Dianne Kinnee of Bath, Susan Kinnee of St. Paul, MN, Kathleen Kinnee of Grand Blanc, MI, and step daughter, Kerstin Lipke of Burlington, VT. He is also survived by six grandchildren; Justin Allen (Alison), Rosina Switras and fiancé Matthew Hudkins, Katie Switras, and Emma, Casey and Molly Tripp; step granddaughter, Hannah Lipke; two step grandchildren, Eric and Jamie Switras; and three great grandchildren, Keira Martin, Delia Allen, and Lilah Hudkins. He is also survived by a large extended family of beloved in-laws, cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Arlie’s life was rich with an appreciation of the outdoors, the arts, and a great love for his family. He was a long-time member of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Greater Lansing, sang in the choir, and loved listening to music, especially jazz and folk music. He loved travelling and spent time in Europe and much of the United States. He knew Michigan like the back of his hand and spent many hours teaching family and friends about the natural world.

He was a tireless advocate for the mentally ill and was a founding member of the Michigan chapter of NAMI. Two of Arlie’s daughters are deaf and he advocated for their education. He was highly respected by the deaf community.

He loved to read and expand his knowledge of the world and did this until the end of his life. Arlie was loved and will be missed by many. His wry sense of humor brought many laughs to all of us. A service, officiated by the Reverend Kathryn Bert of UU Church of Greater Lansing, will be held in celebration of his life at the All Saints Episcopal Church, 800 Abbott Rd, East Lansing, MI 48823 on Saturday, December 14, 2013 at 11am.

The family would like to thank the staff of Hospice House of Mid-Michigan for all of the TLC they gave to Arlie in his final days. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Michigan Parkinson Foundation: 30400 Telegraph Road, Suite 150 
Bingham Farms, MI 48025, or the UU Church of Greater Lansing: 855 Grove Street, East Lansing, MI 48823.

The family is being served by Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, Lansing Chapel. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.grlansing.com