John Walter Kalinovik

John Walter Kalinovik, age 56 of Ewen, Michigan passed away unexpectedly in his home on November 6, 2020. 

Born on January 3, 1964 in Livonia Michigan to George and Shirley (Axford) Kalinovik, he graduated in 1982 from Franklin High School, Livonia where he was a MVP football player earning a scholarship to Grand Valley State. 

John attended Grand Valley but eventually transferred to Northern Michigan University. He moved to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula permanently in 1999, where he married and started his family. John was employed as a cook for both the Lac Vieux Desert Casino then later at the Root Cellar on Lake Gogebic. John spent his last working years as the McMillian Township water/sewer and maintenance technician. John was dedicated to his community and to helping others. He was a member of both the Ewen Volunteer Fire Department and Sonco ambulance. He volunteered his time to teach archery at Camp Nesbit. His “Team Southern Comfort” BBQ cooking team, won many categories several years for the Ontonagon Cancer Society and Simple Jerry’s BBQ cook off to raise funds for a cure for cancer. 

John loved the outdoors. He spent as much time as life would allow at his family Camp Kalinovik off the Choate Road, surrounded by the love and laughter he shared with his family and friends. Days spent hunting or fishing, and nights at the campfire and the kitchen table he brought smiles and laughter with his generosity, and joyful attitude sharing tales both true and tall. He was able to bring out the best in everyone around him, and has left behind many friends both near and far. John enjoyed bringing families together with his love of the outdoors whether at his own camp or camps of close friends and family. 

John is survived by his children, John and Stephanie (Barna) Gwyn of Montreal WI, Paige (Gwyn) and Blayd Lewandowski of Hancock MI, Elijah E. Kalinovik of Marquette MI, Summer B. Kalinovik of Marquette MI, and one grandson Spencer Gwyn. His extended family, his mother Shirley M. Kalinovik, brother Ron Kalinovik, sister Nira (Matt) Edwards, brother Paul (Ramona) Kalinovik, and numerous nieces and a nephew all of Livonia Michigan. 

John is preceded in death by his father George D. Kalinovik and brother George Kalinovik. 

As was his wish, there will be no formal service, but rather a late spring internment for close family with a wake and celebration of life for both family and friends at Kasten Camp in Ewen to follow. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made at Gogebic Range Bank Ewen Branch where an account has been established to assist his children with funeral and burial expenses.

Cane Funeral Home in Ontonagon MI  is assisting the family with arrangements. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of John Walter Kalinovik, please visit our floral store.