Christopher J. BIRNEY

Christopher J. Birney, 31, of Marquette, died Tuesday morning, November 4, 2014 at his residence. Christopher was born on June 3 1983 in Saginaw, Michigan, a son of Mark and Susan (McCliggott) Birney. He attended Superior Hills Elementary School and graduated from Marquette Senior High School. Chris enjoyed hiking the trails in this area all year-long. In his younger years, he was an avid skier and belonged to the Marquette Mountain youth racing team. Survivors include his parents, Mark and Susan Birney of Marquette; a brother, Nickolas Birney of Marquette; grandmother, Joyce Birney of Saginaw and grandfather, Lloyd McCliggott of Augres, MI; nephew, Bradley Aiden of Marquette; a niece, Natalie Birney of Marquette; aunts and uncles, Joe (Nancy) McCliggott of Philamont, VA, Tim McCliggott of Wisconsin, Judie (Dan Dupuis) McCliggott of Marco Island, FL, Kelly McCliggott of Saginaw, MI, Jamie (Darrell) Lubben of Kokomo, IN, Ernie Birney of White Salmon, WA, and Susan (Ken) Rettmann of Novi, MI; also surviving are numerous cousins. He was preceded in death by grandparents, Joann McCliggott, Ernest Birney and Patricia Birney. A funeral service will be held on Sunday at 2 p.m. in the Canale-Tonella Funeral Home with the Rev. Greg Heikkala officiating. Visitation will be in the funeral home beginning at 1 p.m. until the time of the service on Sunday. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Superior Alliance for Independent Living, 1200 Wright St., Suite A, Marquette, MI 49855 or Pathways, 200 W. Spring St., Marquette, MI 49855 in Christopher's memory. Memories may be shared at canalefuneral.com