Kenneth "Kenny" A. Towne

Munising / Canadian Lakes, MI

Kenneth A. “Kenny” Towne, age 79, of Munising, Michigan, and longtime resident of Canadian Lakes, Michigan, died suddenly on Saturday, June 14, 2025 near the location of his new home in the Upper Peninsula. He was born on February 26, 1946 in Fremont, Michigan to the late Leon and Margarite (Schick) Towne. Kenny grew up in Fremont and attended Fremont High School. After losing his dad at a young age, Kenny started working to help support his family and eventually became employed by General Motors at the age of 19. Most of his time with GM, Kenny worked at Pontiac Truck and Bus Plant where he was a forklift operator in the materials department. Kenny retired in the early 90’s with over 30 years at GM. On July 23, 1983, he married Kathleen (Taylor) Cooper. They made Fowlerville, Michigan their home, but spent many years with their camper at Canadian Lakes to enjoy the weekends golfing and being on the pontoon. After Kenny and Kathy both retired, they made Canadian Lakes their Home. Kenny was an active member of the mobile watch team and took his responsibility very seriously in helping to protect and keep their neighborhood safe. Kenny enjoyed the outdoors, loved to hunt deer and rabbit and also looked forward to his Canadian fishing trips with friends. Ken had a passion for golf and played almost every day in retirement. His home course was The Royal Golf Course of Canadian Lakes and enjoyed wintering in Florida, so he could play year-round. He was a faithful member of the Prince of Peace Church in Howell and then sat on the church council at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Remus when they moved to Canadian Lakes. If Kenny wasn’t on the pontoon cruising the shores of Canadian Lakes with Kathy or on the golf course, he would likely be found either watching golf on the TV or cheering on his beloved Michigan Wolverines with one of his dear four-legged friends Cassie or Biscuit at his side.

Kenny is survived by his wife Kathy Towne of Munising; children Leon Towne of Lincoln Park, MI and Kristen (Brian) VanWieren of Munising; grandchildren – Haley, Leon, Jr., Devon, and Ashley; multiple great-grandchildren; brother – Randy (Marge) Towne and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, daughter-in-law Trish Towne, brother Jim (Karen) Towne, and sister Sandy Towne.

A memorial will be announced at a later date. 

Due to Kenny’s heart health conditions and his love of the University of Michigan, his family has donated his pacemaker to the U of M - My Heart Your Heart program in hopes to provide pacemakers to people all around the world that do not have medical access like we do.