Date of Death: October 1, 2026
Service Details
His family will receive friends Saturday, October 17, 2026 beginning at 10:00 a.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 56050 Buckhorn Rd. A memorial service will follow at 11:00 a.m. at the church with Pastor Vicky Blough officiating. A light lunch will be provided following the service.
Obituary Notice
Milton (Red) Lynes, 86, of Three Rivers, passed away Thursday, October 1, 2026 at his home surrounded by his loving family.
He was born October 7, 1939 in Billings, Montana, the son of Herbert A. and Margaret (Dinsmore) Lynes, and graduated from Maine East HS in Parkridge, IL with the Class of 1961.
Red was an entrepreneur who found a niche at fitting in. His many ventures included Uncle Milt’s Snack Shop, M&T Associates, a commercial cleaning business, and working at True Value Hardware. In all his work, he made many friends and touched positively the lives of many.
He was united in marriage to Trudy Shafer on August 19, 1967. Together they supported each other and raised two children. It, however, was more than that. Red and Trudy would often provide shelter for other children in unfortunate or struggling living situations. In their free time they enjoyed camping and watching movies. Time was always made in the summer for a family trip. Sometimes it was a visit to his brother Bob in Arizona other times it was a visit to his parents in Laguna Hills, CA. A yearly trek was always made to Cedar Point as Milton “Red” loved to ride roller coasters. Other great family memories included trips to Mammoth caves, also Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Zephyrhills, Florida.
Red was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church and the Woodworkers Guild of Kalamazoo Michigan, as well as an avid bowler at South Lanes. He often spent time in his shop designing and assembling furniture, cabinetry and toys. As a self-taught woodworker he was skilled at many things from building a staircase, making a cabinet, to wiring an outlet and installing a toilet. He was truly a Jack of all trades.
Red faced adversities in his life from the time he was born. The application of twilight sleep to his mother during delivery found him waiting much too long to take his first breaths. Those delayed first breaths led to difficulties through his life with balance and coordination. He continued to prove to the world every single day that he could do anything he wanted, and he often did, defying the odds of what people thought him capable. This continued drive and determination may have led to bruises on his body or recoveries from broken bones including a C2 dens fracture, of which only 10% survive, or maybe even a fractured femur or humerus. Red would just chalk it up to a delay in the time for him to get out and tackle the next obstacle or enjoy the next adventure.
For those who knew him best he was truly an inspiration. His soft voice and caring spirit were ever present. He had an understanding of adversity that few people knew and that understanding gave him a compassionate heart capable of meeting people where they were and inspiring them to continue. It was not uncommon for him to share a Pepsi and sit down and listen, only to turn around and become their biggest cheerleader. A “YOU CAN DO IT” from Red was there to inspire them to conquer their next challenge or adversity.
Remaining to cherish his memory are his wife, Trudy Lynes; son, Milton “Doug” (Stephanie) Lynes; daughter, Dawn (Scott) Criswell; grandson, Ian Gregory Criswell; and brother, James Alexander Lynes.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Robert Dinsmore Lynes.
Additional Information
Donations in Red’s memory may be directed to Three Rivers Hospice. Envelopes will be available at the church and at Hohner Funeral Home.
Please Leave Your Condolences
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Trudy and family,
Thinking of you and keeping you in my prayers. So very sorry for your loss.
My prayers go out to Trudy & family. So sorry to hear of Reds death. I met “Red” thru his wife Trudy. He was a kind & caring wonderful man. If he saw you needed help, he was always there to see what he could do. He never let the hard knocks defeat him. May your faith stay strong during this time Trudy. Gods Blessings! Mel Muffley
It has been an honor to know Red through the years. We are so sorry to hear of your loss. We pray for peace and comfort as you walk the difficult days of grief.
To Trudy, Dawn, Doug and all your family, we are so sorry for your loss. Sending our love and hugs and prayers to all of you, ❤️Pat and Larry
Dear Trudy and family, So sorry for this great loss in your lives. I have been a widow now for 4 years, and I do understand this loss. This obituary is a great testimony about Red and his strength, courage and perseverance . I will always remember him that way, although I haven’t been with him since the early 80’s, probably at our Aunt Dorothy’s funeral. Sending gentle and loving thoughts during this difficult time.
Bonnie Dinsmore Riordan, Red’s first cousin
I am truly sorry to hear this. Red was a sweet loving person and will be missed so much. Trudy I send all my love and prayers for you and your family.
Love Cindy
There are no words that can truly express the profound sadness I feel at the loss of someone who meant so much to me.
I am deeply sorry to hear of this loss. Please accept my heartfelt sympathy and deepest condolences to the Lynes family. My thoughts and prayers are with Trudy and Milton(Red), and their beatiful family, both Doug & Dawn, whom have both always meant so much to me in the truest sense of biological families.
I have so many fond memories of the countless hours I spent working alongside Milton(Red) during several summers, which included spending time in his woodshop cutting boards, painting, building signs, digging holes and driving throughout St. Joseph County setting realty signs. I was so blessed not only by his friendship, but by his wisdom, counsel, and mentoring. And, of course, there were those moments when we simply enjoyed a cold Pepsi together and good conversation.
Milton was truly a kind and gentle soul, a faithful servant of Christ, a hard worker, and, in every sense of the words, the absolute salt of the earth. His devotion to God, his family, and his fellow man was evident in the way he lived his life and in the lives he touched.
I will always be grateful for the time I was fortunate enough to spend with him and for the lessons, memories, and kindness he shared with me. His presence will be deeply missed, but his memory and the example of his life will remain.
May we all find comfort in the beautiful memories we have shared with Milton(Red), and may you all feel surrounded by the love and support of family and friends during this difficult time.
God’s blessings to you and your family. I am, and will forever remain grateful for the love and kindness that was extended to me as part of that family, particularly at a time, in which I reached a crossroads in my young life.
Milton(Red) had a way of reaching people in subtle ways while endeavoring to encourage, uplift, and inspire. “A friend in need is a friend indeed” was a welcomed hallmark, though seemingly a rarity in the context of friendship through my young eyes, but I would go on to embrace and endeavor equally paying this forward throughout my life. His levity was refreshing, his presence was warm and comforting, his eyes were kind, and his signature smile, an indelibly beautiful reminder of how truly wonderful his life was.
This was further exemplified as such with how blessed my own life could be as a result, and because of Milton(Red) and his family, their many acts of kindness, intervention, a pivot, and subsequent change in trajectory notwithstanding, it truly saved my life. Thank you.
May Milton(Red) rest peacefully in the loving arms of our Savior. With heartfelt sympathy and remembrance. Arty 🙏
Arthur(Arty) E. “Doc” Childs Jr., USN, (Ret.) 🇺🇸
Island Health (Formerly Island Hospital/Fidalgo Medical Associates Alumni), Retired, 20 yrs.
Oak Harbor, Washington State
Former resident, 600 Wood St., Three Rivers, MI., circa 1978-1987. TRHS Alumni, Class of 1987, Nat. Honor Society. 🎓
It was great to know him. Really enjoyed bowling with him at state bowling tournament.
We are so sorry that Red has passed on. Praying for comfort for those he has left behind.
What a beautiful tribute. Praying for all of you during this difficult time.
Red was an amazing man who I am so grateful to have been a part of his later years in life.
He was funny, kind and must have had some humor as he liked to hear me sing!
He brought a smile to my face and shared his love with everyone around.
He and Trudy made everyone feel at home.
They raised wonderful children and loved the Lord with all their heart.
I will miss him so much.
So sorry to hear about Red’s death. Prayers and hugs for broken hearts.
Comfort to all at this difficult time. And joy in remembrance. Holding you in prayer.