Robert L. Kinnear

Robert L. Kinnear, 84, Lisle, IL, died in the Oak Trace Rehabilitation Center in Downers Grove, IL, on Friday, June 6, 2014. He was born in Phillips on July 29, 1929, the son of Kenneth and Marjorie (Adams) Kinnear. He was a 1947 graduate of the Phillips High School, where he was active on the football, basketball, baseball, and boxing teams. He attended the University of Wisconsin where he earned his Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Biology. He served his country in the United States Army and United States Air Force during the Korean War. He was married to Germaine Leonhart in 1968. His life’s work was that of an educator, teaching at the Gross Point High School in Gross Point, MI, and then at the Oak Park-River Forest High School in Oak Park, IL, until the time of his retirement in 1987. He also served as the Head Swimming Coach at Gross Point where he led his team to the championship, and as Swimming Coach at Oak Park. He was a member of Saint John Episcopal Church of Naperville, IL, and of Our Savior Episcopal Church of Lugerville. He was a Life Member of the Frank and Michael Baran VFW Post No 5778 of Phillips. In his free time, he enjoyed telling stories, especially of his adventures growing up in Phillips. He also enjoyed spending summers at his home on Solberg Lake in Phillips, hunting, fishing, and trapping.

He is survived by his wife, Germaine “Geri”; by two children: Kellee (David) Watt, Indian Rocks Beach, FL, and Kenneth (Penny), Clearwater, FL; by three grandsons: Kyle and Austin Kinnear, and Matt Howland; by one sister, Barbara Kinnear, Phillips; and by numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by one daughter, Kathy Knowland; and by one sister, Helen Nelson.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, June 13, at Our Savior Episcopal Church in Lugerville with Father William Radant officiating. Military Honors will be conducted by the Frank and Michael Baran VFW Post N. 5778 and the Lane-Kreiling American Legion Post No. 122. Interment will be in the Lakeside Cemetery in Phillips. Friends may call at the church on Friday from 10 a.m. until the time of services.

The Heindl Funeral Home in Phillips is assisting the