Cover photo for Lynn Johnson Paynter's Obituary
1921 Lynn 2020

Lynn Johnson Paynter

May 13, 1921 — February 5, 2020

PAYNTER, Mr. Lynn J.
Portage, Michigan

Lynn Paynter, 98, passed away Wednesday February 5, 2020. He was born May 13, 1921 in Grand Rapids, Michigan to the late Hector and Gladys (Johnson) Paynter. He was their only child. Lynn was united in marriage to Marian Good on March 25, 1944. Lynn served in the U.S. Coast Guard from April of 1942 until honorably discharged in September of 1945.

Lynn loved trains. He created an elaborate model train set in his basement, and he enjoyed traveling with Marian on train trips in Colorado, Alaska, Mexico and Canada. When he retired in the mid-1970's, he became an avid backpacker and he hiked the trails and mountains of Colorado and Arizona. He and Marian rafted the rapids of the Colorado River, traveled on mules into the Grand Canyon and hiked into Havasupai Falls. They moved to Green Valley, Arizona in 1975, and they returned to Kalamazoo, Michigan in 2013. Lynn and Marian became members of Lighthouse Baptist Church in Plainwell, Michigan. Lynn loved being in church, and he enjoyed reading and telling stories. One of his favorite pastimes was making balloon animals and performing magic tricks for his great- greatgrandchildren.

Lynn is survived by his wife, Marian (Good) Paynter; children Bob (Pam) Paynter, Lynne (Ronald) Grant and Nancy (Jim) Cook; grandchildren: Wendy (Kevin) Newman, Tracy (Matt) Hooper, Kristen (Robert) Kaplan, Lyndsay (David) McGreevy and Mark (Tara) Szatkowski; 12 great grandchildren and 2 great-greatgrandchildren; and his beloved cat, Charlie.

At the family's request, cremation has taken place. A memorial service will take place on Saturday, February 29, 2020 at Lighthouse Baptist Church, 12220 Cressey Road, Plainwell, Michigan, 49080; Pastor Steve Smail officiating. The family will greet friends at 3:00 p.m. at the church, with the memorial service at 4:00 p.m. A private interment will take place at a later date at Ft. Custer National Cemetery. Services are entrusted to Langeland Family Funeral Homes Burial & Cremation Services, 622 S. Burdick Street, Kalamazoo, Michigan.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to Lighthouse Baptist Church.

To order memorial trees in memory of Lynn Johnson Paynter, please visit our tree store.

Service Schedule

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Memorial Visitation

Saturday, February 29, 2020

3:00 - 4:00 pm (Eastern time)

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Memorial Service

Saturday, February 29, 2020

Starts at 4:00 pm (Eastern time)

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