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John R. Kinzer - HEMSI sets farewell for late founder

December 6, 2003

On Thursday afternoon, a HEMSI ambulance will take the cremated remains of John R. Kinzer from Laughlin Service Funeral Home to the First United Methodist Church for a memorial service.

Kinzer, 58, died Sunday at Huntsville Hospital from complications of heart and stroke problems.

His family and HEMSI officials planned the farewell to the paramedic who helped start HEMSI with his wife, Mary Jo. HEMSI is the only nationally accredited ambulance service in the state.

About 1 p.m. Thursday, a small procession of ambulances will leave the funeral home on Bob Wallace Avenue, said Don Webster, HEMSI's chief operating officer. He said the procession will adhere to the city's policy that limits such to 25 vehicles.

On the way to the church, the procession will pass the Huntsville Hospital Emergency Room, where Kinzer took countless patients during his career in emergency medicine that started in the early 1970s. He stepped down as HEMSI director in September 2001. Since then, he had been director emeritus.

A memorial service will begin at 2 p.m., Webster said. No family visitation is planned.

In addition to his wife, survivors include a son, John Brett Kinzer; two daughters, Jennifer Kinzer and M. Kiley Kinzer; and two sisters, Susan Kinzer Neighbors and Lee Kinzer May, all of Huntsville.

 





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