Joseph C. Kavanagh

Joseph C. Kavanagh, age 85, of Pewamo, loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away on Tuesday, March 2, 2021. He was born on August 15, 1935 in Pewamo, the son of James and Patricia (Cook) Kavanagh.

Joe graduated from Pewamo Rural Agricultural High School in 1953. In 1954, he entered the U.S. Army and arrived in Europe in March 1955 where he was a member of the 163rd Antiaircraft Artillery detachment.  He began a career in skilled trades at G.M. and retired after 36 years of service.  He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, was an avid fan of the Detroit Tigers, and enjoyed playing cards, woodworking, tending to his yard and was jokingly referred to as an “agitator". He will be so dearly missed for his sense of humor, kindness, generosity of spirit and caring ways. He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Janice (Schneider) whom he married on August 9, 1958; sister-in-law, Yolanda Kavanagh; brothers-in-law, Bill Piggott, Daniel Spitzley, and Robert Eck. Surviving is his wife, Marie (Simon) Kavanagh; his children, Kenneth (Kathy) Kavanagh, Kay (Brian) Pfaff and Kim (Terry) Sines; grandchildren, Jacob (Courtney) Trierweiler, Allison (Branden) Kerr, Grace Sines, Morgan and Andrew Pfaff, and Kyle and Kayla Kavanagh; one great-grandchild and one on the way; sisters, Carol (Jack) Caroen and Alice Piggott; brother, Donald Kavanagh; sisters-in-law, Kathleen Spitzley and Elaine Eck; brothers-in-law, Dan (Mary Jo) Schneider, Charles (Doral) Schneider and William (Fran) Schneider; step-children, Kathleen Pennell, Dan (Kathy) Piper, Sue Piper, and Lori (Daryl) Carr; and many step-grandchildren.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Rev Darrel Kempf at 12:30 p.m., Saturday, March 6, 2021 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Pewamo. Rite of Committal will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery. Military Honors will be provided by the V.F.W. Post #3733. The family will receive friends and family from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., Saturday at the Lehman Funeral Home, 210 E. Bridge St., Portland. Online condolences may be made at www.lehmanfuneralhomes.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Joseph C. Kavanagh, please visit our floral store.