Gretchen B. Kinney's Obituary
Mrs. Gretchen B. Kinney, age 81, passed away Saturday, April 17, 2010 in the care of her family and Harbor Hospice. She was born on June 24, 1928 in Chocolay Twp., MI to Joseph and Elizabeth (Cody) Wessels. She came to Muskegon and worked as a nanny and housekeeper for the Harry S. Berman family. On September 4, 1948 she married Stanley C. Kinney, and he preceded her in death in 1999. She was a past member of the Holton American Legion Post. After her children got older she learned to drive a car, went to work for Wayburn Bartel and later with her husband, sold in various flea markets in Michigan. Gretchen loved working in the garden, word search books and singing. SURVIVORS include 5 children, Linda (Jim) Mayo of Farmington Hills, Marilyn (Larry) Eastling, Roger Kinney, Elizabeth (Don) Clements, Royal (Lori) Kinney and daughter-in-law, Judith Kinney all of Muskegon; 19 grandchildren; 21 great grandchildren; 1 great-great grandson; 1 brother, Royal (Faye) Wessels; and 1 sister, Ina Mae Jett. Gretchen was also preceded in death by her oldest son, Raymond S. Kinney; 2 grandsons; 1 brother, Martin Wessels and 1 sister, Etta Belle Bratelien. A Graveside Memorial Service will be held at 2PM on June 24, 2010 at Sunrise Memorial Gardens. The family would like to thank Mattie, Shirley, Amber and the staff of Harbor Hospice, for their love and wonderful care. The family would prefer memorials to Harbor Hospice (1050 W. Western Ave. Suite. 400 Muskegon, MI 49441). Share memories with the family at their Online Guestbook at www.sytsemafh.com. Arrangements by The Walburn Chapel, Sytsema Funeral Homes, Inc. 1547 W. Sherman Blvd. 231-759-8565.
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