John L. Pinar

John L. Pinar, age 76, of Escanaba passed away Wednesday September 27, 2023 at OSF- St. Francis Hospital in Escanaba. He was born October 22, 1946 in Escanaba and was the son of Nicholas and Mary (Schenk) Pinar. John graduated from Escanaba High School in 1965 and then he was drafted into the U.S. Army serving 13 months in Vietnam until he was honorably discharged on November 6, 1967. He married Lois A. Maynard on April 16, 1966 at Bethany Lutheran Church in Escanaba and together the couple celebrated 57 years of marriage and raised their two daughters Joni and Wendy. John started his working career at Sturdy Mink Ranch, then Harnischfeger Corporation and then at Escanaba Paper Company for 38 years until his retirement in 2005. John was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church, V.F.W. U.P. Vintage Tin Car Club, the National Street Rod Association and loved old cars. He was an avid Green Bay Packer fan, enjoyed the local stock car racing and NASCAR. John lived for his grandchildren, attending all their sporting events whenever possible.   

John is survived by his wife, Lois; daughters, Joni (Steve) Korb of Caledonia, MI, Wendy (Jim) Mielock of Grand Rapids, MI; grandchildren, Carl, Johnny, Sammy, Benny, Audrey and Eden; sisters Kathy (Gary) Winchester of Gladstone and Paula (Gary) Buckley of Escanaba; brothers Nicholas Pinar of Escanaba and John (Sherri) Lawrence of Marquette; along with several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by granddaughter Erin Korb and brother Jim Pinar.

Visitation will be held from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Saturday, September 30, 2023 at the Anderson Funeral Home in Escanaba. Military Honors will be conducted at 4:00 p.m., Saturday, in the Anderson Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral services to follow at 5:00 p.m. Saturday, at Bethany Lutheran Church with Pastor Lily Brondyke officiating. A luncheon will be served following the funeral services in the church fellowship hall. Inurnment will take place in the Trinity Lutheran Church columbarium in Grand Rapids.

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