Alan J. Kinner

Alan J. Kinner, 78, of Iron River, MI, passed away on Monday, November 17, 2025, at his home on Silk Lake with his family by his side.

Alan was born on October 25, 1947, in Phelps, WI. He was the oldest son of the late John and Helen (Niemi) Kinner. He attended Iron River Schools and graduated with the Class of 1965.

Alan joined the National Guard while he was a senior in high school and was federalized to the Detroit Riots in 1967. Upon graduation, he attended Ford Forestry Center in Alberta and worked for American Can Company cruising timber. He then worked at Sylvan Products in Phelps and for Walsh Construction in Illinois, where he helped build the nuclear power plant in Zion.

Alan married Carole Lynne Anderson on June 20, 1970, in Iron River. They resided in Phelps until retirement and spent the last 18 years on Silk Lake in Kenton, MI. Theirs was a great love and they were so very blessed to have celebrated 55 cherished years together.

After he married, he worked in construction for his uncle Gordon Kinner and his cousin Bill Koski. During this time, they were also foster parents to three wonderful children. In 1978, he and Carole became managers at the Big Sand Lake Club in Phelps for 35 years. During the few years away from Big Sand, he worked for the Town of Phelps and for Leonard Nellesson repairing pallets for the Sara Lee Company.

Alan retired from the Phelps Volunteer Fire Department after 21 years. He was an avid sportsman as well. He enjoyed trout fishing, ice fishing, made his own lures, trapped and weaved baskets and tanned many hides. He loved all things hunting, bird and deer, muzzle loading, bow and rifle, which he shared with his dad, uncles, cousins, and brother, Gary.

Alan is survived by his wife, Carole; daughters, Melissa (Jim Nocerini) Weston of Crystal Falls, MI and Amy (Steve) Kyler of Phelps; granddaughters, Alison (Brent Gagnon) Hickson, Makayla (Andrew Lindemann) Lux, and Payton (Ethan Sweig) Hawkins; grandsons, Sawer (Marissa) Hogenmiller and Harrison Hogenmiller; great-grandson, Anson Alan Lindemann; great-granddaughter, Amelia Ida Lindemann; sisters, Josie (Roger) Allen of Boulder Junction, WI and Rita (Earl) Martin of Harvey, MI; brother, Gary (Kathy) Kinner of Iron River, MI; brother-in-law, Dr. Robert Anderson of Silk Lake; stepbrother-in-law, William (Ann) Carne of Republic, MI; as well as many extended family and friends.

Alan was preceded in death by parents; in-laws, William and Mary (Silk-Anderon) Carne; brother-in-law, Calvin Anderson; stepsister-in-law, Myrna Masuga; stepbrother-in-law, Roger (Virginia) Carne; special grandparents, Allen and Impi Niemi, whom he spent many of his childhood summers with; and Emil and Hilma Kinner.

Per Alan’s wishes, there will be a private celebration of life with his family in the spring.

Interment will be in Resthaven Cemetery, Iron River, MI.

The family would like to thank the VA, Dr. and Mrs. Gustavo Morel and his staff in Iron River Aspirus Outpatient Clinic, who took such good care of Alan for the past three years. Also, thank you to the nurses from Baraga Home Health & Hospice for the last month of compassionate care.