John McKinstry

John W. McKinstry, age , 96 of Caledonia, passed away Saturday, September 10th, 2016 at his residence. John was born Canaan Township as the son of the late Harold and Elizabeth (Sickel) McKinstry. On November 28th, 1940 John married Betty Spiedell. Betty preceded him in death on July 03rd, 2011. John was a part of Caledonia history. He built most of his house with his own hands. He was a hard worker doing farming, logging and truck driving in Seventeen Eastern States during his lifetime. John & Betty traveled in all but three states in the United States. He loved to fishing and hunting and fishing and fishing. He always said; "Putting a hook in the water is what he is wishing." Noted for his ability to fix any old thing…and for the groceries to your house he would bring.
Seventy years of marital bliss! This couple demonstrated praise and honor and care to each other like no other! John and "lil" Betty, always thinking of the other did not miss a chance to show kindness. Alongside John Betty would announce, "He's A Good One. There was no better!!" He always said "I'm just me." But how many of us can say we can fly a plane or have touched the Alaskan pipeline or hunted and fished in the Canadian terrain? He planted lots of trees near a foot tall, little did he know the birds would have such a ball!! He created what we call a bird sanctuary as his little feathered friends wait in the trees for the food that he would carry. Such beauty to witness the birds and their treats and the peace that they bring us as the sun retreats.
John often spoke of Lake Erie and hunting Wyoming and of his friends and those pastimes, and his family. These seem to mean the most, often with tears that he could not hold back, all with humble pride. Graveside funeral services for John McKinstry will be held on Saturday morning September 17th, 2016 at 10:30 in Caledonia Cemetery with Chaplain Jeff Slider officiating. Public Calling Hours will not be observed. The Timson Allen & Melroy Funeral Home of Caledonia is Responsible for arrangements.