Arnold Kindt

Arnie Kindt

“Kind, sweet, genuine, loveable” – words repeated often when speaking of Arnold Kindt – aman of unwavering courage and strength, never more evident than in these last few monthsof his life here on earth as he battled cancer and Alzheimer’s. A true gentleman, alwayswearing a smile, charming everyone he met – family, friend, neighbor, acquaintance orcaregiver – and making all who knew him feel loved, appreciated and cared for.On Friday, October 24, after 95 blessing-filled years, surrounded by his family who adoredhim, Arnie’s address changed (as his sister-in-law, Myra, put it) when God fulfilled Hispromise and welcomed him from Turning Brook to his new home in heaven – free from all ofthe illness that never could steal his sweetness – to which Myra asked the perfect question- How can we keep from singing?Arnie’s life began on December 19th, 1929 on their family farm in Ossineke, MI at the onsetof the Great Depression. He was the fifth of nine children born to Ralph and Meta (Gehrke)Kindt. “The Farm” is where the lessons of love and kindness began as, together, the Kindt’sembraced the frugality of those days, growing their own food and strengthening their familybond, which was the cornerstone of a lifelong connection for the next generations, oftenfinding multiple generations gathered at The Farm or the hunting camp – The Ponderosa -still today.Arnie was drafted into the Army during the Korean War, serving in Germany as a radiooperator. His working life led to him to become an engineer/draftsman, first at BesserCompany for a short time, then Abitibi, where he remained until his retirement. After hisretirement, he began working at what is now McWilliams Funeral Home, where for manyyears, he brought comfort to grieving families with his kind and gentle demeanor.In 1961, he married Irma Gapske, who he shared a beautiful life with for 44 years. Together,they had two children – Mike (Anissa) Kindt and Kori (Dane) Werth – who Arnie lovedunfailingly.Perhaps the most fulfilling chapter in Arnie’s life was when he was officially awarded thetitle of “Papa” in 1994 with the birth of his first granddaughter, Taylor (Josh) Bromund. Then,over the next six years, that joy grew with the arrival of Ellie (Dylan) Hoes, Braedan Werth(Bailey Campbell) and Alayna (Brenden) Francis. He embraced his role as Papa with hisentire heart and soul, selling his pickup truck and buying his first minivan, which wouldbecome the official transport vehicle for school drop-off/pick-up, countless dance andcheer practices and performances, baseball, basketball and soccer games, chauffeuringnot only his own grandchildren but many of their friends and teammates as well, most of