Lewis Klinedinst

Lewis Klinedinst, 84, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 12, 2026, at home surrounded by his loved ones. Lewis was born January 23, 1942, to Alfred and Reva (Zentz) Klinedinst on the front porch of their family home on Plymouth-LaPorte Trail. Lewis would proudly show his children his birthplace any time they traveled past it.

Lewis graduated from Tyner High School in 1960, where he met and married his high school sweetheart, Fay. While at Tyner he was a star player on the basketball team and Prom King. Lew & Fay were married on January 9, 1960. Their union created 1 son and 3 daughters: Tony Lee Klinedinst (deceased infant), Vicki & Phil Youst, Kandi & Jeff Tinkey, and Dawn & Michael Pynaert. From the 3 surviving children, 8 grandchildren, and their spouses expanded the family: Anthony & Rachel Youst, Jordin Youst & Adam Welchans, Bryttin (Youst) & Jeph Greeson, Nicole (Tinkey) & Colt Roudebush, Heather (Tinkey) & Dustin Eads, Christian Gage & Nalania Pynaert, Arik & Amanda Pynaert, and Amanda (Pynaert) Sarber. He also has 20 great-grandchildren.

In Lew’s early years, he worked at Weidner Pickle, Place & Co., Young Door, Cook Brothers Furniture, Garden City Foods, and Dave & Ray's Supermarket. For 15 years, Lew’s work ethic, common-sense approach, and ability to crunch numbers earned him the position of store manager at the supermarket. In 1982, Lewis and his wife, Fay, ventured out on their own, opening Lew’s Ka’Fay on Water St in Plymouth. Shortly after remodeling & opening their restaurant, the 1982 flood damaged it. Even when they were struggling to stay afloat (no pun intended), they managed to provide food and beverages to the local volunteers and business owners affected by the flood. Due to stress-related illness, they sold the Water St. restaurant in 1987. After a brief period, he missed the restaurant so much he & Fay decided to open Lew’s Ka’Fay at 108 N. Michigan St., Plymouth. In 1995, Lewis suffered a massive heart attack and had bypass heart surgery. He was told he needed to alleviate stress, so they sold the Michigan St. restaurant, only to turn around and re-open the Water St restaurant in 2002. Through the restaurant business, many of the “regulars” became like family and great friendships were forged. One of Lew’s favorite things about the restaurant was having his 3 daughters and grandchildren working for him. Throughout his many medical emergencies, recovery at home was always provided by his loving wife, Fay. He was a hard worker and succeeded in every endeavor. Lew had such a great work ethic that all his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren inherited the trait. He always appreciated sincerity and championed the underdog. He spoiled every dog he ever owned, even more than his daughters. Lew enjoyed bodybuilding, karate, and boxing. Through it all he kept his sense of humor until his final breath and he “never had a bad day”.

Visitation will be held on Friday, March 20, 2026, from 11-1 pm at the Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home, 1100 N. Michigan Street, Plymouth, IN 46563. Funeral services will immediately follow with Life Celebrant James Smart officiating.

Burial will take place in the Tyner Cemetery, Tyner.

In “Lew” of flowers, Memorial Contributions can be made to the Marshall County Humane Society, P.O. Box 22, Plymouth, IN 46563.