John R. Kinker, Died Oct. 29, 2017

John R. Kinker

1952 ~2017

John Robert Kinker, 65, of Omena, poised on the edge of a wetlands where he found his power spot, John quietly passed away at home on Sunday, October 29, 2017.

John was born on July 1, 1952 in Detroit, the son of Donald and Sara (Peterson) Kinker.

John was born in Birmingham, MI but spent most of his childhood in Cazenovia, NY.  He went to several different colleges, studying art, engineering and horticulture.  John worked in landscaping and construction before meeting his life partner, Lynn.  Together, they bought and renovated houses, slowly moving their way north to Leelanau County.

He took every opportunity to expand his mind through travel and literature.  John’s adventures took him to many places in the world, but his fondness was for the desert southwest.  Always a self-educator, he read prodigiously, absorbing both lighthearted and weighty material that guided his path.

In his shop he worked the grain and bend of wood, creating functional and beautiful works of art.  He also serviced the intricacies of an engine, pondered the ways of the world, or plucked away on his banjo.  Always spending as much time as it took to honor the processes involved, he was a true craftsman.

He also built boats to explore our water world…a tree house to have a bird’s eye view of the land…and worked the earth to sustain their farmstead.

Of this rare human being, beauty was born.  Together John and Lynn, created a nurturing homestead, bringing into the world two beautiful daughters, Olivia and Lillian.  Their path will be illuminated by the patience, intelligence, and humor their father gently embraced.

John is survived by his wife, Lynn; and daughters, Olivia and Lillian.

Private family services have been held.

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