Edward M. Kinkema

Edward M. "Ed" Kinkema, 90, died unexpectedly on August 14, 2024.

Ed was an enthusiastic and tireless husband, father, grandfather, neighbor, friend, teacher, volunteer, fixer of many things, and one of the nicest and most humble guys you could hope to meet. He greeted people at the door with a huge, surprised smile and the words, "Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh!" as though you were the person he most wanted to see that day. As you left, he would thank you profusely (with a twinkle in his eye) for even considering visiting him.

He was born in Grand Haven to Edward D. and Marie Krueger Kinkema (the Krueger farm gave its name to Krueger Street in Spring Lake). Ed spent countless hours with Grandpa Krueger gardening, fishing and looking for arrowheads on the family farm. M-104 later split the farm in half. He was grateful for those hours his grandpa spent with him and loved doing the same with his own grandchildren.

Edward graduated from Alma College, received a degree in mortuary science from Wayne State University, and later earned a master's degree in business administration from Aquinas College. The degree in mortuary science came at the strong nudging of his father, who owned the Kinkema-Bartels Funeral Home. He also worked at the Pellegrom-Kinkema Furniture store, later Kinkema's of Grand Haven.

In days gone by when caskets were handmade, the local furniture store and funeral home were often under the same ownership. Ed's son Karl remembers helping in the store on Saturdays and often being sent next door to buy donuts from Braak's Bakery. If business was slow, Ed paid his employees first and went without paying himself. After he sold the store, the entire family took an extended trip out west and it was a relief to finally have his weekends free to spend more time with his family.

Ed found his passion teaching building trades at Careerline Tech Center (OIASD). A first student project was often building a sawhorse together, with each student signing their name on the piece they contributed. Some of them are still in use. In his 17 years as a teacher, his students built many houses in the Holland/Zeeland area. Students remember him as patient, down to earth and supportive, and Ed worked to place many of them with employers in the area.

Ed was committed to community service, something his parents valued and taught. He was a Boy Scout troop leader, a crew leader for the original Imagination Station playground at Mulligan's Hollow and helped build 11 Habitat for Humanity houses in Grand Haven. Ed also served on the Grand Haven school board, Grand Haven Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals. He was on the Hofma Trust Board during the creation of Hofma Park.

Ed also taught Sunday School and served as an elder for First Presbyterian Church in Grand Haven. He spent the last several years volunteering for Love In Action on Fridays, where the other volunteers treated him like a prince. He was especially devoted to the extended family "breakfast club" on Thursday mornings. Ed always had a few projects going around the house but was always hoping someone would call him if they needed help because that is when he felt best – helping someone who needed it.

Ed often told people the best decision he ever made was marrying Lynne. He carried in his wallet the piece of paper she gave him with her phone number the day they met. They were married for 68 years. His devotion to Lynne helped him make the difficult decision to join her living at Grand Pines so they could stay together. They did everything together and watching Lynne face dementia was one of the hardest things he ever had to deal with next to losing their son Max, who died at age 26. The sight of Ed still lit up her face.

Ed also enjoyed travel (famously commenting that Stratford, Ontario, would be a pretty fun place "if it weren't for all those damn plays"), gardening (always in long pants and a button-down shirt no matter how hot it got), baking (his sticky buns and the German kuchen he learned to make from his mother were legendary), time at the family cottage up north (often with grandsons in tow to take them fishing), and the West Michigan Symphony.

Ed is survived by the love of his life, Lynne Shipman Kinkema; children Kathleen (Rogene McKiernan) Kinkema, Karl (Pam Bratt) Kinkema, Cheryl Kinkema; grandchildren Damien Kinkema, Max Kinkema, Jacob David and Remi Kinkema; great-grandchildren Aubree Kinkema and Brianna Kinkema; brother and sister–in-law Tom and Linda Shipman; brother-in-law Evert Jungslager; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Ed was preceded in death by son Max Thomas Kinkema; sisters Molly Kinkema Jungslager, Ruth Kinkema Brown (and spouse Jim), Madeline Kinkema Happel (and spouse Tom); his best buddy since high school, Tom Streng; and several poorly behaved dogs, whom he loved even when they ate his box of special Valentine candy, entire loaves of bread, or the rug.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, September 7, 2024, at First Presbyterian Church (508 Franklin Ave.) with Pastor Kristine Aragon Bruce officiating. Visitation with the family will be 5-7 p.m. Friday evening, September 6, 2024, at The VanZantwick Chapel of Sytsema Funeral and Cremation Services, 620 Washington Ave., Grand Haven, MI 49417. Burial will take place at Lake Forest Cemetery.

As Ed would say, "Don't spend money on me, spend it where it will do some good." In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial contributions to Love in Action, Harbor Hospice, or the Muskegon Rescue Mission.

Rest in peace, dear Ed, they don't make them like you anymore!