Zachary Tauno Kindler

On August 4th, 2014, the Lord called home Zachary Tauno Kindler at the age of 35. He was born to Gary and Kris (Pietila) Kindler on June 10th, 1979 in Belleville, Kansas and raised on a rural farm east of Esbon, Kansas.
Zach grew up in Esbon, KS, attending school at White Rock and graduating with the class of 1997. He was an active member of the Whitemound Builders 4-H club and enjoyed his summers with baseball.

He attended Fort Hays State University with amazing accomplishments, one being in 2001 with winning a National Championship in javelin, in Track and Field. He graduated with a degree in 2002 in Sports Management and a Master’s degree in Sports Administration in 2004.

On August 6, 2005, Zach married the love of his life, Sara Gerdes. They were blessed with 3 amazing children. Taylor Diane 2007, Carter Tauno 2009 and Tessa Marie Kindler 2011.

Zach was an active member of Fellowship Bible Church where he was a leader of men’s ministry, starting a new branch of the church in Baldwin and recently felt a calling from the Lord to participate on a mission trip to Paraguay.

Zach was passionate with his work for young men and women building them up to be the best they could be on and off the track. He was the Track and Field, Cross Country Coach at Baker University in Baldwin, KS. Throughout his time at Baker University his program reached unprecedented heights in 2012-13 with a HAAC championship in men's cross country, men's indoor track and field, women's indoor track and field, men's outdoor track and field and women's outdoor track and field. Overall for his career, he captured 17 team conference championships and was named conference coach of the year 20 times.
During the indoor season, Baker posted five NAIA All-Americans at the National Championship meet in Geneva, Ohio, with two national champions.

Zach’s life was full of time spent with family, golfing, swimming with his kids at the pool and spending time outdoors. His love for sports was shown with his activity as a softball player on his church team and coaching his son’s and daughter’s ballgames.

Left to cherish Zach’s beautiful life are his wife Sara; children Taylor, Carter and Tessa, his parents Gary and Kris Kindler of Esbon, Kansas, Sara’s parents Rick and Lisa Gerdes, Diane and Jonathan Morton, brother-in-law Bryan Gerdes, Lee Summit, Missouri, brother Josh Kindler and wife Jennifer (Rumsey) of Gardner, Kansas, sisters Tiffany Battle (Kindler) and husband Patrick of Junction City, Kansas and Kristal Walker (Kindler) and husband John of Hoxie, Kansas, Joy and Alida Kindler, special aunt and cousin, Salina, Kansas. also surviving him are his nieces and nephews Masen, Dawson and Emerson Kindler (Josh), Lauren and Aidan (Tiffany) and Owen and Olivia (Kristal), and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

Zach was preceded in death by his grandparents Harry and Carol (Hoffhines) Kindler and Tauno and Mickey (Brown) Pietila.

A man of faith, hope and love, Zach leaves a legacy that has touched the lives of countless people.

A celebration of life service for Zachary Kindler was (will be) Friday August 8, 2014, at 10:00 am at the Fellowship Bible Church at 16900 Waverly Road, Gardner, Kansas. Graveside services was (Will be) Saturday, August 9, 2014, at 3:00 p.m., at the Esbon Cemetery, Esbon, Kansas, with Pastor Dennis Beckmann officiating. Visitation was will be Friday, August 8, 2014, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Saturday, August 9, 2014 from 9:00 am to 12 noon, at the Melby Mortuary Chapel, 402 N. High Street, Mankato, Kansas.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to the Zach Kindler memorial fund. The family suggests memorial contributions be sent to Zach Kindler Memorial Fund, PO Box 67, G