Obituary of Keith McKinstry

McKinstry, Keith Saginaw, Michigan Our beloved father, husband, grandfather, brother, uncle and dear friend passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 1, 2021 at Symphony Tri-Cities, surrounded by his family. He was 90 years old. Harold Keith McKinstry was born on January 13, 1931 in Ithaca, Michigan to the late Harold T. and Grace (Maxwell) McKinstry. He married Mary Mildred Slade on December 2, 1950; she preceded him in death on September 8, 2018. Keith worked at General Motors Grey Iron Foundry as the Superintendent Clerk for 38 years, retiring in 1986. Mary and Keith were faithful members of Peace Lutheran Church, but beforehand, Faith Lutheran Church which was just behind their house. Keith's favorite activity was spending time at the cottage on Long Lake with his family and friends, fishing, sitting on the swing or being on the boat pulling water skiers. He often drove his children’s friends back and forth from Saginaw to the cottage. Keith was loved by many and the neighborhood friends and family will fondly remember him as Butch. His memorable quotes will be missed including “The early bird, gets the worm.” and “Nobody promised you a rose garden.” Keith will be deeply missed by his two daughters and one son: Harold (Kate Kloha) McKinstry, Jr., Kathy Goodwin, Nancy McKinstry; five grandchildren: David McKinstry, Mark McKinstry, Kristen Goodwin, Jennifer Gruesbeck, and Jonathan (Stacey) Stadnika; two great-grandchildren: Paityn and Oliver Gruesbeck; one brother, Gene (Faye) McKinstry; two sisters: Joyce Dupuis and June (Kyle) Muscott; sisters-in-law, Georgene Gifford and JoAnn Slade; and many nieces, nephews, and friends. Keith was preceded in death by his parents, daughter-in-law, Diane McKinstry; brother, William (Pat) McKinstry; sister, Diane (Robert) Pattinson; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Mildred and Charles Slade; brothers-in-law, Andrew Slade, Charles E. Slade and Clarence Dupuis. Keith’s family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff of American Hospice, especially Denise for their dedicated care in his time of need. FUNERAL: A funeral service for Keith will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 6, 2021 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 808 Weiss Rd., Saginaw, MI 48602. Rev. Michael Korte will officiate. Burial will follow in Roselawn Memorial Gardens. In keeping with mandated ordinances and for the safety of the community, face masks are required, social distancing, and gathering guidelines will be observed. VISITATION: The family will receive friends at Deisler Funeral Home, 2233 Hemmeter Rd., (off State) on Monday, April 5, 2021 from 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Keith will lie in state at the church on Tuesday from 10:30 a.m. until the time of the funeral service. MEMORIALS: Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider a donation to Americans Home Health & Hospice Care. Please share your thoughts and memory with the family at the funeral home, church or through www.DeislerFuneralHome.com