Wendell Kinnaird, age 78 of Grinnell, died on Tuesday, September 25, 2018 at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines upon a series of complications that arose after heart bypass surgery.

A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, October 1, 2018 at the Grinnell United Methodist Church with Pastor Dave Crow officiating. Interment will be at Rock Creek Cemetery west of Grinnell.

Visitation will begin at 12:00 p.m. on Sunday at the Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell and his family will receive friends from 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.

Memorials may be designated to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or to the Wounded Warrior Project, mailed in care of the Smith Funeral Home, PO Box 368, Grinnell, Iowa 50112. Memories and condolences may be shared with his family online at www.smithfh.com.

Wendell was born on February 1st, 1940 in Laurel, Iowa to Donald and Hattie Mae (Benskin) Kinnaird. He grew up with seven siblings and graduated from Grinnell High School with the class of 1957.

Wendell served in the US Navy from 1960-1964 aboard the USS Point Defiance and the USS Henrico. He returned home to Iowa upon completion of service, moving from Active Duty to Naval Reserve to Honorable Discharge, thankfully, without mobilization to Vietnam.

Wendell and Jean Peak were united in marriage on September 5th, 1965 and made their home in Grinnell. Two years later, Wendell joined into partnership with his father-in-law, William (Bill) Peak’s agricultural trucking business and eventually, the farming business as well. Wendell and Jean expanded their family with daughter, Wendy Jean in 1970 and son, David in 1974. Upon Bill’s retirement, the trucking and farming business continued as, Wendell Kinnaird Trucking. Wendell served the business for more than fifty years, right up until his scheduled surgery appointment.

In his earlier years, Wendell enjoyed playing in competitive men’s fastpitch softball leagues, bowling leagues, card tournaments and golfing with friends. He faithfully began his days rising with the sun, reading the newspaper and listening to the local radio station. As he got older, he also enjoyed Wednesday night dinner and slots at the casino and playing card/cribbage/casino games on the iPad.

Wendell’s biggest joy was his family and he cherished time spent with his wife, children and grandchildren, whether vacationing together in far-away places, celebrating holidays/special occasions or enjoying a simple backyard summer BBQ on a Sunday afternoon. In recent years, Wendell and Jean also enjoyed fellowship in regular attendance at the Methodist Church’s 8 a.m. service.

Wendell is survived by his wife of 53 years, Jean Kinnaird of Grinnell; daughter, Wendy (Dave) Gray of Bondurant with grandchildren Ethan, Broden and Kass Gray; son, David (Kim Johnson) Kinnaird of Knoxville with grandchildren Ashley and Kaylee Kinnaird; siblings, Earl (Pam) Kinnaird of Grinnell, Bill (Shirley) Kinnaird of Grimes, and Jerry (Pat) Kinnaird of Salina, KS; siblings-in-law, Mertie Kinnaird of Dubuque, IL, Patty (Fred) Johnson of Grinnell, Roger McCulley of Grinnell, Roger Moyer of Grinnell, and Robert Peak of Grinnell; 18 nieces and nephews; and many great nieces and nephews.

Wendell was preceded in death by his parents, Don Kinnaird and Hattie Mae White; brother, Wayne Kinnaird; sister and brother in-law, Donna Mae (Keith) Grovenburg and twin sisters, Judy McCulley and Joan Moyer.

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