John H. Hiner

1932 - 2018

John Henry Hiner, of Mackinaw City and formerly of White Pigeon, died Friday, Sept. 7, 2018. He was 86.
He was born Jan. 3, 1932, in Lincoln Park, Mich., the youngest of six sons of Ewell M. and Nora M. (Cassidy) Hiner. After schooling, he joined the U.S. Army and served during the Korean War in the 32nd Infantry, Easy Co., as a radio operator and rifleman. He received the Purple Heart for injuries suffered at Old Baldy, and served until the cease fire.
John was a journeyman painter by trade. He married Rose Mary Nagy, of Allen Park, Mich., in 1957. After moving several times to follow jobs, they settled in Dearborn, Mich., and had three children: Donna M., John P., and Eric A. Hiner. They divorced in 1985.
In 1968, John entered business for himself when he bought the Charles Hotel ("Charlie Bar") in Cheboygan, Mich. In following years, he would own a series of restaurants and bars: The Cedar Ridge Inn, Body Shop, John Henry's and John Henry's II, all in the White Pigeon area, and The Ore House in Negaunee, Mich. He retired in the mid-2000s, and moved to Mackinaw City.
In his younger years, John was active in bowling, demolition derby driving, skiing and boating. Self-nicknamed "Honest John," he had a reputation for fairness, working and playing hard, and "telling it like it is." He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion.
John is survived by his half-sister, Celia Polack of Boyne City; his former wife; his three children; two daughters-in-law, Kathy (John) and Ann-Marie (Eric); three grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.
John's life will be celebrated privately by family at a future date.