Thomas Kinninger Obituary

Thomas B. Kinninger

Thomas B. Kinninger, 75, of Sidney, passed away Monday, Dec. 5, 2022, at 12:15 a.m. at Hospice of Miami County. He was born in Sidney, Oct. 24, 1947, to the late Bernard and Rose Mary (George) Kinninger. He married Karen Jeanine Leckey July 9, 1966, who preceded him in death July 30, 2001.

Thomas is survived by three children, Dionne Kinninger of Findlay, Shauna (Jarred) Vordemark, and Derek Kinninger both of Sidney; five grandchildren, Allie and Carly Tong, Camden, Myles and Larkyn Vordemark; six siblings, David (Mary) Kinninger, Dan (Joyce) Kinninger, Carol (Guy) Bowser, Pam (Russ) Stewart, John Kinninger, and Darlene (Matt) Clayton, sister-in-law, Barb Kinninger, and brother-in-law, Terry Leckey.

He was preceded in death by two siblings, Kay Pope, and Gary Kinninger; and a brother-in-law, David Pope.

Tom graduated from Fairlawn High School in 1965. Tom fell in love with Karen when he was 15 years old. They wed at the age of 18 and were quickly separated when Tom's lifelong journey of serving began.

Tom enlisted in the US Army in 1966. He served in Vietnam and was a member of the Ohio National Guard in Covington from 1969 to 1977. He was promoted to Major in the US Army Reserves in 1981. He received many recognitions throughout his military career.

In 1972, Tom and Karen purchased Kemac. Tom was hands on everyday alongside his employees. Kemac was a family business. In the early years, everyone helped with government packaging jobs. Dionne, Shauna, and Derek all worked for Kemac. Tom sold Kemac in 2015. Tom and Karen purchased their first rental in 1974. Karen was the bookkeeper for Kemac and Kinninger Rentals. He continued to run Kinninger Rentals until the day he died. Tom bent over backward for his tenants, keeping many of them for over 10 years, several for 20 years. He had a passion for people and believed community takes care of community.

Over the years, Tom was involved with the following, often holding office: Kiwanis, Shelby County Regional Planning Commission, City of Sidney Planning Committee, Eagles, Elks, Iutis Club, Senior Center, American Legion, AMVETS, Shelby County Veterans Service Commission, Bad Art By Good People by The Gateway Arts Council, Clinton Township Trustee.

Tom volunteered countless hours at The Sidney VFW Post 4239 for over twenty years. He was instrumental in forming The Veteran's Center that houses both VFW and American Legion. During a Veteran's Day address in 2007, Tom said, "There is no group of people I hold in higher regard than veterans."

Tom's priority was always his family. Tom, Karen, and their children spent their summers at the ballpark. All five of them played, coached, and umpired. Kemac often sponsored tournament teams that Tom and Karen coached. Tom rarely missed one of his children's activities and loved them unconditionally.

Like his mother, Tom grew a garden every year. When his children lived at home, Tom and his family were often in the garden at Kemac when they weren't at the ball field on summer evenings. Years later, he cooked large quantities of food from his garden and delivered it to people to help him cope with the death of his beloved Karen. Tom and his mother both planted sunflowers in their gardens each year.

Tom saw his grandchildren regularly and played a large role in their lives. Tom was always joking, sharing stories and reminding everyone how important family is. He demonstrated it every day and taught by example. His face lit up when he talked about his family.

One of Tom's last wishes was to bring awareness to the fact that homeless Veterans are forgotten. He requested to be buried in a casket that an indigent, homeless veteran would be buried in. This action not only shows respect and honor to his less fortunate brothers and sisters, it sums up the type of man Tom was.

The family will receive friends on Thursday from 5-8 p.m. at Cromes-Edwards Funeral Home

Tom's funeral will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 9, 2022, at First Presbyterian Church, 202 N. Miami Ave, Sidney, with Pastors Dan Gutman and Carol Pierson officiating. Burial with full military honors will follow at Shelby Memory Gardens in Sidney.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Shelby County Veteran's Service Commission to help homeless veterans throughout Shelby County get the help they deserve. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.cromesfh.com