John J.

Carney

John J. Carney, of Portage, passed away peacefully at his home on November 13, 2026. In his final hours, John was surrounded by his wife of 50 years, his children, and numerous friends. John was born on April 15,1948. He was the first child of Wade P. and Leila E. Carney, who preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife, Ruth, and daughters Kathleen (Vince), Wendy (Rik), Barbara (Gregg) and Elizabeth (Jesse), 10 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren, several cousins, and friends too numerous to mention.

John was employed in the commercial foodservice equipment industry for over forty years, the majority of those with Stafford-Smith, Inc. of Kalamazoo. Outside of work and family, John had three main passions in his life. Music, with The Chairman being his all-time favorite. Golf, a game that gave him equal amounts of frustration and joy. And his true passion, The University of Michigan athletics - with Michigan Football being his #1. John was a season ticket holder for over fifty years, and at one stretch attended 461 consecutive games, including home, away, and bowl games.

While at www.a,msfuneralhomes.com please take time to sign John’s guestbook and/or share your favorite memory with his family.

Cremation has taken place, with a private family burial to follow.

John has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Schoolcraft Food Pantry, PO Box 50, Schoolcraft, MI 49087 or Mission of Hope Cancer Fund, 823 N. MLK Jr. Drive, Jackson, MI 49202.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, November 19th from 12-3:30pm @ Fieldstone Grill, 3970 West Centre Ave., Portage, MI.

The Carney family is being cared for by the Avink, McCowen & Secord Funeral Homes and Cremation Society, 129 South Grand, Schoolcraft, MI 49087 (269) 679-5622.