Prominent Muskegon employee benefits attorney, John H. McKendry, Jr., age 65, passed away unexpectedly Dec. 16. He was born on March 24, 1950 in Grand Rapids to John H. McKendry, Sr. of Flint and Lois Ruth (Brandel) McKendry of East Grand Rapids. As the oldest hearing child of deaf parents, John had a foot in the adult world from a very young age and developed a keen appreciation for the spoken word.
 

John was a skilled high school debater at Mona Shores High School, where he returned to serve as debate coach. He became an expert in communicating, attending Albion College on a debate scholarship and applying his debate skills at the University of Michigan Law School and in his legal practice. He had also been President of the TKE Fraternity at Albion College.
 

For more than 35 years, McKendry practiced employee benefits law, and was a frequent speaker at Grand Valley State University, the Institute of Continuing Legal Education (Michigan), Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants, Michigan Medical Group Management, Michigan School Business Officials and Employers Association of West Michigan. Since November, 1984,
McKendry was a partner with Warner Norcross & Judd LLP. His professional recognition includes Best Lawyers in America, Chambers USA and Michigan Super Lawyers.

McKendry married the former Linda Schmalzer on August 11, 1973. John was preceded in death by his parents, John and Lois McKendry, and is survived by his wife, Linda; daughter, Heather (Douglas) Lee of Columbus, Indiana and their children, Austin, Brayden, and Caitlynn Lee; daughter, Shannon (Les) Figgins of Holt, Michigan and their children, McKenzie and Lennon Figgins; son, Sean (Melanie) McKendry of Seaside, Oregon; brother, William (Laureen) McKendry and their children, Cody and Dillon; sister, Patricia (Fred) Garcia and their children, Miranda and Allee Ryder; sister, Liz Laskowski and her son, Justin (Victoria) Laskowski; father-in-law and mother-in-law, William and Nancy Schmalzer; sister-in-law, Ruthan (Gill) Schmitt and their children, Andrew, Reid, and Tate Schmitt; sister-in-law, Joni (Larry) Cioffi and their children, Laura and Michael Cioffi, Julie (Zach) Strong; and brother-in-law, Fred Schmalzer and his children, Mitchell and Hilary Schmalzer.

McKendry contributed generously to many non-profit and charitable organizations, including service to the American Cancer Society of Muskegon County Unit, Past President and Past Board Member; Catholic Social Services, Board Member; Deaf Hard of Hearing Connection, Founder, Chairman Board of Directors; Michigan Interscholastic Forensic Association, Past Director, Counsel; Miss Michigan, interview coach, state pageant judge, local pageant judge; Mona Shores Public Schools, Chair Blue Ribbon Commission, Chair, Millage Campaign, Founder, Education Foundation; Director/Assistant Director of Debate 7-time state champions, Mercy Health Partners Life Counseling, Treasurer; Board Member, Mona Lake Watershed Council, Board of Directors, Counsel; Norton Shores Charter Commission, Chair; St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, Lector, Co-Chair of the Journey of Faith Campaign, Lector Coordinator, Bible Study Instructor; United Way of West Michigan Chairman, Pro-fessional Division, and West Michigan Symphony, President, Vice President, Board of Directors. He was also a member of the Country Club and Club here in Muskegon. John was an enthusiast with many interests, including boating, reading, education, and music.

The mass of Christian burial took place Dec. 22 at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church with the Rev. Fr. Philip Salmonowicz presiding.  Burial was at St. Mary’s Cemetery. Memorials in John McKendry’s name may be made to the St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church Journey of Faith Campaign.