John Robert Kinsey Jr.

          John Robert Kinsey better known as Mike, Mikey, or Mole, 73, went home to be with Jesus on April 16, 2022.  He was born in Dennison on November 18, 1948, to John and Betty (Ellwood) Kinsey, who preceded him in death.  He graduated as a Tusky Bronco in 1966 and valued the relationships formed in school, still gathering with classmates whenever possible. He served honorably in the army during the Vietnam conflict. He married Connie Kohler, his “Wife” as he often called her, on July 1, 1978, and they began their life journey together at the Tusky Tractor Pull in full wedding garb. Together they purchased a farm as they believed that the farm was the best place to raise children. He was a computer geek who learned about computers when they were in their infancy. He made his living caring for computer control systems in manufacturing and transitioned to being self-employed, serving small businesses with software and hardware computer needs.  His business was MFI Systems, short for Mikey’s Fix It.  His slogan: If Mikey can’t fix it, it isn’t broke. He was very gifted at understanding how machines of all kinds worked. Neighbors and friends brought various machines that needed fixed, and true to his slogan, he usually could make the needed repairs. He tried to pass these skills on to his three children. 

          During his lifetime John volunteered much of his time, serving on the Tuscarawas County Farm Bureau Board of Directors, being a 4-H advisor, baseball coach, and with the FFA, training students for tractor troubleshooting competitions. He and his wife were also part of the Hungry Farmers Farm Bureau Council, making lifelong friendships and being politically active in helping farmers farm.  

         He and Connie were blessed with three children: Dr. Jessica Rose (Carmen) Buccheri, Curtis John (Michelle Melzer) Kinsey, Chief Petty Officer Taylor (Sarah) Kinsey, all of whom he was enormously proud of. He tried to teach his children everything he knew. He taught them to do math in their heads during car trips. All had to learn how to change their own oil, flats and help with car repairs. All learned how to weld and do electrical work. As grandchildren arrived, he got new students, all of whom he loved.  Courtney, Shelby, Corbin, Aurora, Callie, and Ariana Kinsey and Olivia Buccheri. He felt truly blessed. 

         Though he was at times a grumpy old fart, he ended conversations amongst family with I love you.  

         He is also survived by a sister Jill (Ed) Haglock, sister-in-law’s Debbie Kinsey, Susan (Richard) Hoy, Nancy Minard, brother-in-law’s Karl Kohler, Ken Davis, and many nephews, nieces, and cousins. 

         He is preceded in death by his brother Joe Kinsey, sisters Evelyn and Patty Kinsey and his sister-in-law Laurean Davis.

         Services will be Saturday, April 30 beginning at 2:00 P.M. at Fry’s Valley Moravian Church with Pastor Dave Geyer officiating. Military Honors will follow the service out back near the cemetery. Friends may call at the church two hours prior to the service from 12:00 P.M. to 2:00 P.M. A meal will be shared after services in the church social hall. Memorial contributions may be made to Fry’s Valley Moravian Church, 594 Frys Valley Rd SW, New Philadelphia, OH 44663 or to Community Hospice, 716 Commercial Ave SW, New Philadelphia, OH 44663. Online condolences may be left on the Koch Funeral Home of Gnadenhutten website at www.kochfhgnaden.com.  

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