Arnold E. Kindt

"Kind, sweet, genuine, loveable" – words repeated often when speaking of Arnold Kindt – a man of unwavering courage and strength, never more evident than in these last few months of his life here on earth as he battled cancer and Alzheimer's. A true gentleman, always wearing a smile, charming everyone he met – family, friend, neighbor, acquaintance or caregiver – 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 adored him, Arnie's address changed (as his sister-in-law, Myra, put it) when God fulfilled His promise and welcomed him from Turning Brook to his new home in heaven – free from all of the 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 onset of 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's embraced the frugality of those days, growing their own food and strengthening their family bond, which was the cornerstone of a lifelong connection for the next generations, often finding 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 radio operator. His working life led to him to become an engineer/draftsman, first at Besser Company for a short time, then Abitibi, where he remained until his retirement. After his retirement, he began working at what is now McWilliams Funeral Home, where for many years, 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 loved unfailingly.
Perhaps the most fulfilling chapter in Arnie's life was when he was officially awarded the title 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 his entire heart and soul, selling his pickup truck and buying his first minivan, which would become the official transport vehicle for school drop-off/pick-up, countless dance and cheer practices and performances, baseball, basketball and soccer games, chauffeuring not only his own grandchildren but many of their friends and teammates as well, most of whom also called him Papa, always making a quick run thru McDonald's drive-thru for hotcakes, cinnamon rolls, nuggets, fries and sodas.
Arnie was active in the Besser Chorus for many years, sang in the choir at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Alpena and was a founding member of the St. Paul Quartet. He loved the Lord and was a member of St. Paul for all his adult life and faithfully served in almost every capacity there at one time or another. Hunting and the comradery that was at the heart of The Ponderosa drew Arnie to "the woods" most weekends and holidays and even into his twilight years, he would often leave his home at 5 a.m. and walk the 9-mile trek to camp just for fun. The memories made and significant moments shared at the camp were treasures Arnie recalled even when dementia stole so much from him.
To know him was to love him and his absence will leave a forever void for his children and grandchildren. Arnie also leaves behind his brother, Louis Kindt and sister, Hilda Marsh, sister-in-law Sandra Kindt, brother and sister-in-law, Don and Carol Lightner, sisters-in-law Joyce Gapske and Myra Gapske and numerous nieces and nephews. He was greeted in heaven by his wife, Irma, brothers Erv Kindt, Walt Kindt and Clarence Kindt, sisters Adeline, Leona (Bill) Kaschner, Florence (Hank) Timmreck, brother-in-law Homer Marsh, sister-in-law Linda Kindt and brother and sisters-in-law Jack (Virginia) Gapske, James Gapske, Jerry Gapske, Margie (Jerry) Ruell, and Marie (Skeets) Deno.
Visitation will take place on Thursday, October 30 from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. at McWilliams Funeral Home in Alpena, MI and will continue October 31 from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the memorial service at 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Alpena, MI with Pastor John Shipman officiating. Memorial donations for Arnie can be made to Hospice of Michigan or St. Paul Lutheran Church.