John Michael Kennedy

John Michael Kennedy obituary

John Michael Kennedy

John Kennedy Obituary

Obituary published on Legacy.com by Beck Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Inc. - Spring Grove on Sep. 29, 2025.

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John Michael Kennedy, 69, entered into rest on September 23, 2025. He was born February 2, 1956, in Mississippi to London and Josie (Cogsdell) Kennedy and was one of seven children.

John was the devoted husband of Elaine (Sowers) Kennedy.

He had a lifelong love of music and was best known for playing guitar. He also loved motorcycles and spent much of his life riding. John retired as a quality assurance manager for SWF Industrial and was one of Jehovah's Witnesses.

In addition to his wife, Elaine, John is survived by his two children, Jesse Kennedy and wife, Sarah, of Spring Grove, PA, and Sherry McFarland and husband, Zach, of New Salem, PA; his three grandchildren, Quinn Rife of Indiana, and Logan and Eric McFarland of New Salem, PA; and three siblings, Jerry Kennedy and wife, Barbara, of York, PA; Barbara Thompson and husband, James, of Abbottstown, PA; and Christina "Tina" Nace and husband, James, of Red Lion, PA.

He was preceded in death by three siblings: Freddy Kennedy, James "Jimmy" Kennedy, and Elizabeth "Libby" Schmidt.

A memorial celebration of John's life will be held Sunday, October 12, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, 1595 Jefferson Road, Spring Grove, PA. Matthew Harris will officiate.

Beck Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Inc., of Spring Grove is entrusted with the arrangements.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

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