Mark Kinder

Gregory Mark Kinder was born on November 27, 1973 at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He grew up in Vicksburg attending Vicksburg Schools. Growing up he enjoyed Little League, football and roller skating. He became involved in bikes of all kinds snowmobiling, hunting and fishing. Some of his adventures led to bumps, bruises and broken bones.

Mark was very meticulous with his vacuuming and lawn mowing. (Always needed to be in straight lines.)

When it came to food, he ate Del Monte ketchup on everything. He loved to cook, fried potatoes and onions, steak, pizza and spaghetti.

Summer breaks he spent time working on Uncle Bob and Aunt Cova’s farm. One time Wade had to rescue him from drowning in a pond where they were fishing. When telling the story later, Wade said “That little sucker climbed on top of my head!” Also, Mark thoroughly enjoyed his summer visits with his cousin Randy in Arkansas. They too had several “wild” adventures.

Speaking of fishing adventures, Mark’s aim was off one afternoon when fishing with Dave and Pat Benedict and their son. Dave had an unpleasant experience when Mark hooked his nipple. Where upon Dave shouted several colorful expletives, but Mark just kept yanking the pole saying “What am I hooked on?”

Another time, Uncle Jerry took Mark out hunting which they both enjoyed. Mark saw a deer coming towards Jerry, but he had been told to be still and quiet so he did nothing, but watch as the deer came up and sniffed Jerry while he was asleep.

Mark worked at two dairy farms in Scotts and for Best Way Disposal working on the trucks. Later he worked for LaCombe Trucking; there he met Dani. She owned Double L Bait and Marine. The two of them had a lot of fun snowmobiling, fishing and boating. On September 9, 2006, they were married.

After four years of marriage, they had a baby girl, Olivia Jean Kinder on August 10, 2010. Olivia melted his heart and made him smile. His nickname for her was “Sweat Pea”. Dani and Mark had a Jack Russell Terrier named “Tippy”. All of his girls made him happy…as well as his truck!

Sadly he died early Friday morning May 4, 2012 at the young age of 38. He is survived by his wife Dani, his daughter Olivia, his mom Ila Kinder, his sister Michelle Kinder, his in-laws Jan Werbinski & Clarence LaCombe, his brother & sister-in-law Ryan & Nikki Miller, his nieces Logan Schuiteboer & Ally Stafinski and many other relatives. He was preceded in death by his father Buddy Kinder in 2000.

Visit with Mark’s family and friends, view his life story film and share light refreshments on Wednesday from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Life Story Funeral Home, Vicksburg; 409 S. Main St. (269-649-1697). A memorial service will be held on Thursday at 1:00 p.m. the Vicksburg United Methodist Church.. Please visit Mark’s memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can read his life story, archive a memory or photo, sign his memory book online before coming to the funeral home or make a memorial donation to the Gilmore Center.