Earl E. Kinney's Obituary
Earl Edward Kinney was born on June 8, 1934, to Forest A. Kinney and Edna Mae (Rhoads) Kinney on the family farm in Temperance, MI. He is survived by his beloved wife, Lois Jean (Howard) Kinney, and their five cherished children: Laurie (Larry) Keller, Daniel (Michelle) Kinney, Jeffrey (Jennifer) Kinney, Jannah Ruth, and John Kinney. Earl was preceded in death by his parents, Forest and Edna Kinney, five siblings, two infant children, his daughter Carolyn Peach, his granddaughter Amanda Jean Westphal, and two great-grandchildren, Tristen Shaw and Nicholas Carr. Earl and Lois Jean have been richly blessed with 17 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, and 12 great-great-grandchildren. Their hearts have been further expanded to embrace other families who call them parents due to deep, God-ordained attachments: Han Yang and her son Edward, Ha Gavlic (Tim), and Paul and Pam Ethington and their children.
Earl devoted 44 years to serving the Lord as a pastor. His ministry began as an Associate Pastor at churches in Deckerville, MI, and East Marion, IN, while he completed his college education. During his seminary studies, he served two years at First Baptist of Joliet, IL, and three years at First Baptist of Shabbona, IL. The Lord then called him to serve for 23 years at First Baptist in Woodstock, IL, and for 10 years at Pleasant Valley Baptist Church in Wichita, KS. Earl's God-given musical talents were a significant part of his ministry, bringing glory to God through song and worship. He graduated from Bedford Township School in 1951. Earl and Lois Jean, high school sweethearts, were blessed with a loving marriage and would have celebrated their 71st anniversary on August 8, 2024.
Earl's life was a shining testament to his unwavering faith, steadfast dedication, and profound love for God and his family. His legacy is one of hope and divine blessing, a life lived in service to the Almighty and in devotion to those he loved. As we remember Earl, we are reminded of the eternal hope we have in Christ and the promise of a glorious reunion in the presence of our Savior.
A Memorial Service celebrating Earl's life will be 11:00 AM Saturday, July 27, 2024 at Forest Park Covenant Church (3815 Henry St. Norton Shores, MI 4944) with Pastor Ken White officiating. Visitation with the family will be one hour prior to the service, from 10-11:00 AM.
You may also view Earl's service via the church's live stream link: https://www.youtube.com/@ForestParkCovenantChurch
The family requests that memorial donations be made to Forest Park Covenant Church or The Little Red House.
Share memories with the family online at http://www.sytsemafh.com. Arrangements by The Lee Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 6291 S. Harvey St. Norton Shores, MI 49444 (231) 798-1100.
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