Kai Lindsey

ARCOLA, IL – Kai Lindsey, age 51 of Arcola, Illinois and formerly of Charleston, went to his Heavenly Home on Sunday, October 20, 2019.  Visitation will be held from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 23, 2019 at Adams Funeral Chapel in Charleston.  The Mass of Christian Burial, honoring and celebrating his life, will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 24, 2019 at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 921 Madison Avenue in Charleston with Father Angel Sierra officiating.  Burial will follow in Roselawn Cemetery – Charleston.  Donations in his honor may be made to Special Olympics or to the EIU Foundation and left at the visitation/funeral mass or mailed to Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Dr., Charleston, IL 61920.

He was born Stephen Kai Lindsey on February 8, 1968 in Tuscola, Illinois a son of Dwight and Mary Kay (Portugal) Lindsey.  Surviving are his parents, Dwight and Faith Lindsey of Arcola, Illinois and Mary Kay and Lou Hencken of Charleston; his sister, Jill Howen of Arcola; two nieces, Sierra Headrick and fiancé Cody Hollenbeck of Newman, Illinois and Emily Howen of Arcola; aunts and uncles, Don (Carol) Portugal of Mattoon; Colette (Jim) Eisman of Circleville, Ohio, Bill (Lily) Hencken of Ave Maria, Florida, Marilyn (Floyd) Miller, Carolyn (Fred) Helmuth and Myrna Crist, all of Arcola, Brian (Julie) Yutzy of Houston, Texas and Regina (Gary) Duncan of Champaign, Illinois; several cousins including, Kyle (Lauren) Portugal, Kevin Portugal, Kelsey Portugal, Jessica (Travis) Thompson, Michael (Katie) Eisman, and Steven Lindsey.  He was preceded in death by his grandparents and an uncle, Dwayne Lindsey.

Kai was a 1986 graduate of Charleston High School and furthered his studies at both Eastern Illinois University and the University of Illinois.   He was employed with S & K Air Power in Mattoon for more than 30 years. 

Kai was baptized and confirmed in the Catholic faith.  He had many and varied interests which included motorcycling, playing golf, watching science fiction movies, or taking a leisurely walk.  He enjoyed being a spectator of various sporting events but was an avid fan of St. Louis Cardinal Baseball.  Kai realized the importance of family and always looked forward to time spent with his.  He loved all his family dearly and a special place in his heart was reserved for each of them.  He shared a special bond with his Uncle Don who was not only his uncle, but his boss, his mentor and his friend; and there was nothing he enjoyed more than dropping by the home of his sister and playing computer games for hours with his niece, Emily.  Kai’s family will forever cherish each and every memory of times shared with this special son, brother, uncle, nephew and cousin who touched their lives and their hearts.