Jean Frances (Conrad) Kinney

Jean F. (Conrad) Kinney, 97, of Battle Creek died peacefully at home with her family at her side on Tuesday, November 20, 2018.

Jean was born January 13, 1921 in Wayland, Michigan the daughter of Howard Lo and Helen Marie (Butine) Conrad. She grew up in Gobles, Michigan, graduated from Gobles High School and earned a secretarial degree from a business college in Kalamazoo. Jean was employed as a secretary at Kalamazoo Valley Paper Mill until moving to Battle Creek in 1965. Then she was employed in the office at H.B. Sherman Company and retired when it moved from Battle Creek. Jean also worked in the jewelry department at Robinson's in downtown Battle Creek. After retiring, she worked at Valley View Elementary in Springfield, where she was known affectionately as "Grandma Kinney". She wore many hats, but she absolutely loved helping the children in the lunchroom, library and as a reading mentor.

Jean married Royal W. Kinney on January 5, 1946 at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Kalamazoo. Sadly, she was preceded in death by her husband, Royal on June 16, 1974. Surviving are her children, Kathy Collins of Battle Creek, Sharon Wieland of Austin, TX, Gary (Dawn) Kinney of Hamilton, MI, Barbara Murdock, Teresa Washburn and Patrick Kinney all of Battle Creek; 16 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; a brother, Robert Conrad of Kalamazoo; a daughter-in-law, Cindy Kinney of Grand Rapids and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and their families. In addition to her husband, Jean was also preceded in death by her parents, a son, Dennis Kinney; four sisters and two brothers.

Jean was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. She loved spending time with her family and especially with the little ones, the more the merrier! She enjoyed crocheting, tending to her flower garden, reading on her front porch and especially baking and planning for Christmas and family holiday gatherings.

Jean's family will receive friends 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Monday Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Rev. Christopher Ankley 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, November 27, 2018 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 61 N. 23rd St., Battle Creek, MI 49015. Committal and interment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.

Memorial contributions in memory of Jean Kinney may be made to Great Lakes Caring Hospice, 900 Cooper St., Jackson, MI 49202. Personal messages for the family may be placed here at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.