 |
John “Johnny” Gilbert Kinney, 74, of Rushsylvania, passed on Wednesday, Feb.14, 2018, at his home with his loving wife of 54 years, Scarlett, by his side.
John was born Jan. 7, 1944, in Kenton, the only son of Gilbert Adams and Marilyn Elizabeth Johnson Kinney. He married Scarlett DeeAnn Evilsizor on June 16, 1963. A daughter, DeeAnna Kinney Batton preceded him in death July 24, 2001.
John is also survived by a son Dr. Troy (Christy) Kinney of Addison, Texas; two precious granddaughters, Miranda Batton (Jeremy) Brisson of Bellefontaine and Kyra Batton of Rushsylvania whom he and Scarlett raised after their mother, DeeAnna’s death; two sisters, Karen (Tom) Goff of Zanesfield and Kathleen (Gary) Davis of Rushsylvania; sister-in-law, Nancy (Gayle) Bradds of Beavercreek; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
He played basketball at Rushsylvania High School, from which he graduated in 1962. For two years during the Vietnam War, John served as a Spec. 4 U.S. Army jeep driver and mechanic for a Commanding Officer of a unit in Fort Davis, Panama, where his wife joined him and where their son, Troy, was born.
Johnny was very proud of all his children and loved spending time with them. He was an avid, knowledgeable farmer who loved the outdoors and animals, and believed that raising family on the farm was the best way of life.
Johnny loved taking many rides to Indian Lake to see the progress of the new dam being built, and reminiscing about his younger years sharing the lake while dating Scarlett and enjoying music from the 1950s and 1960s. Johnny joyfully retold his hay bale-throwing, steer-riding, and stock car building and racing stories to other farmers, neighbors, friends and family, many of whom will miss him.
Visitation is from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 18, at the Eichholtz Daring & Sanford Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 321 N. Main St., Bellefontaine. Pastor Doug Thompson officiates a funeral service at 11a.m. Monday, Feb.19 at the Rushsylvania Church of Christ, 170 E. Mill St., Rushsylvania. Burial is in Equality Cemetery in Rushsylvania.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Big Springs United Methodist Church, 5636 E. State Route 274, Rushsylvania, OH 43347; Mary Rutan Foundation, 205 Palmer Ave., Bellefontaine, OH 43311; and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
Express condolences at www.edsfh.com.