1932
Norman Daniel Kinney
2024
Norman Daniel Kinney
August 29, 1932 — May 26, 2024
Marshall
Norm was born on August 29, 1932, to Arthur Damascus and Ursula Kinney in Elvins, Missouri. After his marriage to Kathryn and graduation from college, they moved to Michigan, where he began a 23-year career in counseling and education. He possessed a special talent for mentoring young people, which he continued to do throughout his life. This resulted in him becoming affectionately known to many as Uncle Norm.
His lifelong interest in history led Norm and Kathryn to move to Marshall in the early 1970s. It was there that his interest in historic restoration and architecture flourished. Among the many restoration projects he guided, the one he was most proud of was the restoration of Marshall’s Historic National House Inn, which he and his partners so lovingly undertook during our nation’s Bicentennial. His passion for historic preservation and restoration continued throughout his life. He held leadership positions in the Marshall Historical Society, Marshall Chamber, and the Downtown Development Authority (DDA), where he demonstrated his commitment to the growth and betterment of Marshall and was an effective advocate of the preservation movement.
Norm’s management of the National House Inn was the springboard to his leadership of a national association of innkeepers, the Independent Innkeepers’ Association, whose headquarters he brought to Marshall and where he served as the Executive Director for many years. In his later years, he and Kathryn traveled throughout the United States evaluating inns, and created and managed a small association of innkeepers, Time Honored Inns Nationally Known (THINK).
Norm loved to travel. He and Kathryn traveled extensively throughout Europe for pleasure and business, where they created lifelong friendships. He especially loved the English architecture and lush countryside.
He is survived by his loving wife Kathryn, and sister, Vickie Kinney of Missouri and many nieces, nephews, and very special friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Nelda Kinney.
Visitation for Norm will be held on Thursday, May 30, 2024, from 4:00 until 6:00pm at Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services 723 US Highway 27 N in Marshall, Michigan. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, May 31, 2024, at 11:00am at St Mary’s Catholic Church, Marshall, Michigan. Rev. Fr. Craig Lusk officiating.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Marshall Historical Society, Wilder Creek Conservation Club, The Fountain Clinic or The Franke Center.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Norman Daniel Kinney, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Thursday, May 30, 2024
4:00 - 6:00 pm (Eastern time)
Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services
Mass
Friday, May 31, 2024
11:00am - 12:00 pm (Eastern time)
St. Mary Catholic Church
Guestbook
Visits: 1743
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