John Thomas Kailing's Obituary
REED CITY - John T. Kailing, 73, of Reed City, passed away peacefully on December 7, 2022, after a long battle with Alzheimer's Disease.
He was born January 6, 1949, in Reed City, MI, the son of Theodore and Jane (Deacey) Kailing, and graduated from Reed City High School in 1967. Following graduation, John became an electric lineman where he would tragically lose his hands as a result of an industrial accident. John was famously undaunted by his handicap and continued working (and playing) hard throughout his life. He was a "jack of all trades", dabbling in heavy equipment, farming, and ultimately owning and running two small businesses in the Reed City area.
Despite his disability, John loved darts, bowling, tennis, golf, hunting, fishing, and playing cards. He designed many of the gadgets and modifications that were necessary for him to enjoy his hobbies. He was actively involved in the AmVets and the Reed City VFW and was a member of the Paris Snowmobile Club and the Moose. John was affectionately known to be a "cat with nine lives" and a teller of tall tales.
John was predeceased by his parents, Theodore and Jane Kailing. Surviving in addition to his loving wife, Judy (McCain) Kailing are his children, Amanda (Kailing) Grant, Marcy (Kailing) Walston, Matt Kailing, Nate Kailing, Brandon Couture, and Becky Couture; grandchildren, Claudia, Nicole, Jonathan (Drea), Joshua, Cody, Connor, Ariel, Savana, Peyton, and Jagger; great grandkids Levi and Xoee; his siblings, Mary Lou (Tom) Swincicki, Linda (Wes) Frisbey, Jean Ann (Marvin) Sakakihara, Marcia (Ron) Tripp, Debora McGillivray, Steven Kailing, and Cindy (John) Kirby; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
John's family will be celebrating his life at a later date. There will be no funeral services. In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial contributions in John's name to the Alzheimer's Association (www.alz.org) or Hospice of Michigan (www.hom.org). Care and arrangements are entrusted to the Mohnke Funeral Home in Big Rapids. Share a memory or express condolences at mohnkefuneralhome.com.
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