John Joseph "Johnny" Kusnier, Jr.

     John Joseph "Johnny" Kusnier, Jr., age 82, of Elsie, MI, passed away Monday, August 5, 2024, at Hazel I. Findlay Country Manor, St. Johns, MI.
     A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Cyril's Catholic Church Bannister, MI at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, August 9, 2024, with Rev. Fr. Andizej Boroch presiding. Burial will take place at Riverside Cemetery, Elsie, MI. Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 8, 2024, from 2-8 P.M. with family present from 2-4 & 6-8 P.M. with a Rosary prayed at 7:00 P.M at Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie, MI.
     John was born in Owosso, Michigan on December 13, 1941, the son of John J. and Anna M. (Caudy) Kusnier, Sr., On May 15, 1965, John married, Diane G. Thelen at St. Joseph Catholic Church in St. Johns, Michigan.
     John worked with Nemanis Electric for 28 years in Ovid, MI. He went on to work 15 years at Green Meadow Farms. He was a member of Mid-Michigan Old Gas Tractor Association and enjoyed collecting Allis Chalmers. John was a charter member of the Elsie Area Ambulance serving for 16 years. He also served 28 years on Elsie Fire Department. John was a lifetime member St. Cyril's Catholic Church, Bannister, MI and the Knights of Columbus. John proudly served his country in the United States National Guard. He will be remembered for his willingness to help others.
     He is survived by his wife of 59 years Diane Kusnier, his children: John and Michelle Kusnier, III, Larry and Ginger Kusnier, Kevin Kusnier, and Tammy and Brian Sparks; grandchildren: Kaitlyn, Emma, Courtney (her fiancé Michael Beno), Evan, Alexis, Kelsie, Sidney, and Aubrie. He is also survived by his sisters: Margaret Ann and Jerry Horak, Mary Jane Holmes, Anna Marie and Chris Anderson; brothers: Robert Kusnier, Richard and Carol Kusnier; in-laws: Carlene Smith, Joyce Houska, Mary Jane Feldpausch, Eileen Schneider, Judy and Bruce Cameron, Lynn and Janet Thelen; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers: Joseph Kusnier and Jerome Kusnier, sister-in-law Donna and John Seay, brothers-in-law: Jerome Smith, Joe Houska (lifelong best friend), Dale Feldpausch, and Ron Schneider.
     The family would like to thank, Cathy Winkler, for her wonderful care and friendship to John.
     Memorials may be made to the Parkinson's Foundation or St. Cyril's Catholic Church. Online condolences can be sent to www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie, Michigan.