John Edward Paling Jr.

John Edward Paling Jr., 61, of Emmett, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 20, 2025, surrounded by his family. He was born on November 15, 1963, the son of the late John Edward Paling Sr. and Violet Tressa Paling. He grew up in Memphis.

He married Kathleen Johnson on October 14, 1995. At the time of his passing, they were married for twenty-nine years.

John was a loving husband, a devoted father, and a friend to many. He was compassionate, hard-working, and kind. He loved to spend time in the outdoors camping with his family and hunting with his son. He was a gifted woodworker, welder, and mechanic. He enjoyed working on cars and driving.

For nearly thirty years, he worked at Majestic Industries in Macomb, first as a journeyman tool and die maker and later as shop foreman. He was a veteran of the United States Army.

John is survived by his beloved wife Kathleen Paling; his daughter, Anna Violet Paling; his son, John Edward Paling III; and his sisters, Bobbiejean (Gerald) Goodman, Valerie (Barney) McDaniel, Cindy Paling, Debra (Matt) Ferguson, Linda Paling, and Lorie Paling.

John was preceded in death by his father, John Edward Paling Sr., and his mother, Violet Tressa Paling.

The family of John honors his memory with a visitation from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Kaatz Funeral Directors in Richmond on Friday, September 26, 2025. Funeral Services will be held the following day, Saturday, September 27, at 10:00 a.m., with visiting starting at 9:30 a.m. Rev. Katie Dailey, pastor of First United Church of Christ, will officiate. Burial will be in Memphis Cemetery.

For more information and tribute wall visit: kaatzfunerals.com