John Paul Kennedy, age 81, passed away on June 26, 2024, at his home peacefully under the care of hospice. He was born on April 14, 1943, in Cheboygan, Michigan, to James Louis and Orlie (Treudeu) Kennedy. He entered the U.S. Navy in 1960 and was honorably discharged in 1964. He married Patricia “Pega” Gustafson Berker in 1986. He worked for Proctor and Gamble Mill for twenty-four years. After the mill closed in 1990, he and his wife moved to Brevort, Michigan, in the Upper Peninsula and started Wildwood Pasties. John retired in 2008, when they sold the shop.
John was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Brevort. He was also a former member of the Cheboygan Classic Car Club as well as a member of the Kennedy Hunting Camp with his brothers and friends until they sold it.
John’s favorite day of the week was Sunday. After church and breakfast with family and friends, he would find a car race on TV. It didn’t matter what kind of car, if it had loud exhaust and screeching tires, he loved it. A few of his past times were keeping his bird feeders full and the chipmunks away. He loved to go to two tracking in Cheboygan and Brevort. He never missed an episode of Price is Right or Patrol Live.
John is survived by his wife, Pega; his children, Sheila of Rogers City, Michigan, Kathy of Traverse City, Michigan, Barbie of Cheboygan, Cassandra Becker Sutee of Nevada, and Dan (Kara) Becker of California; brother, Jerry (Gloria) Kennedy of Cheboygan; and many beloved grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. He had a special bond with his grandson, Josh, of Cheboygan.
John was preceded in death by his parents, James, and Orlie; brothers, Jim, Mike, Tom, and Pat; sister, Mary (Gary) Carlson; and son-in-law, Tom Campeare.
In his last few days, all he wanted to eat was Culver’s Ice Cream, His nephew, Ken Smith, made sure he had plenty.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made out to McLaren Home Care and Hospice, 1 Hiland Drive, Petoskey, Michigan 49770.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, June 30, 2024, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM, and 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, at Zion Lutheran Evangelical Church, 999 S. State St., St. Ignace, Michigan 49781. A Funeral Service will be held on Monday, July 1, 2024, from 4:00 PM at Trinity Lutheran Church, W4528 Fisherman’s Drive, Brevort, Michigan 49760, with a burial and meal following.
His pallbearers will be his grandsons, Josh Bristol, Jacob Becker, and Allen Becker; and his nephews, Kelsey Kennedy, Louie Kennedy, Mike Kennedy, Ken Smith Jr., and Mike Gustafson.
Final Resting Place will be at Western Cemetery in Moran Township, Michigan.
Family Life Funeral Homes assisted the family with arrangements. Condolences may be left to the family at www.familylifefh.com.
