Donald Kinsler

December 3, 2014

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Donald Kinsler 89, of Frankfort, died at 5:25 p.m. Wednesday, December 3, 2014 at St. Elizabeth Hospital, Lafayette. Born April 2, 1925 in Frankfort, Indiana to Truman & Rosa (Johnson) Kinsler.
He married Nancy Congleton on July 28, 1946 and she survives. Donald was a 1943 graduate of Jackson High School and a lifelong resident of Clinton County. A veteran of the Navy Seabees (MM 3rd Class), he served from 9/22/1943 to 2/22/1946, in the South Pacific during WWII. Donald was a lifelong farmer. He was a member of the St. Matthew United Methodist Church, superintendent of Sunday school for several years (at the Old First Methodist – downtown) and former President of Clinton County Fair Board. He enjoyed card club (has met once a month since 1945), golfing, working with flowers, landscaping and, most of all, his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Visitation and Services

Visitation will be Sunday, December 7, 2014 from 2-6 p.m. at Goodwin Funeral Home. Memorial services will be 11 a.m. Monday, December 8th at St. Matthew United Methodist Church, 1951 Wilshire Dr., Frankfort. Private family burial will be in Green Lawn Memorial Park. Memorial donations may be made to Wesley Manor Good Samaritan Fund.

Survived by:

Wife: Nancy Kinsler of Frankfort Daughter: Connie (Art) Knoflick of Bellingham, WA 2 Sons: Gary (Sandy) Kinsler and Dennis (Teresa) Kinsler both of Frankfort Sister: Marjorie Campbell of Fort Myers, FL 8 Grandchildren: Courtney (Mike) Rominger of Frankfort, Clayton (Amy) Kinsler of Mechanicsburg, Carly (Justin) Ecenbarger of Mulberry, Colleen Knoflick of Bellingham, WA, Sean (Heather) Knoflick of Bellingham, WA, Chad (Jaima) Kinsler of Westfield, Jeremy (Julie) Kinsler of Granger and Blaine (Jordan) Kinsler of Carmel, 14 Great Grandchildren.

Preceded by:

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Drexel, William and Francis, sister, Mary Walters.

Condolences

17 Condolences for “Donald Kinsler”

  1. Mike Sharp December 4, 2014 at 1:25 pm

    My thoughts are with the Kinsler Family during this difficult period. My many memories of being with the Kinsler Family during my early years are cherished. Vivid memories of the Bridge Club and family vacations are at the top of the list. Don Kinsler was a person I enjoyed a great deal…a good man! I will be unable to return to Indiana this weekend for the Memorial. My best to the Kinslers…Nancy, Connie, Gary and Dennis. I will miss seeing Don on my trips back to Frankfort.
    Mike Sharp

  2. Kevin and Carol Hamilton December 4, 2014 at 1:41 pm

    Dennis, Teresa and family,
    So sorry to hear about your dad. You all will be in our thoughts and prayers. Kevin and Carol

  3. Patti Bostwick December 4, 2014 at 3:16 pm

    I’m so sorry for your loss! You are all in my thoughts and prayers.

  4. Linda Strickland December 4, 2014 at 3:36 pm

    My sympathies are with all of the Kinslers during this time. When a loved one makes the transition from this reality to the next one, it is always heartbreaking for those left behind. I feel fortunate to have known Don and to have been able to love him and his family. I know that he is dancing in the sky and enjoying his reunion with his loved ones who have passed previously.

  5. Shan Sheridan December 4, 2014 at 3:59 pm

    The greatest generation continues to leave us in great numbers. Speaking of great that certainly would describe Don Kinsler. A man who choose his words wisely and lived by the “greatest generation” code, “put others before self”. So often this world puts such value on money, material possessions and of course fame and popularity. That was not the case with people like Don. Their definition of greatness is simplicity, finishing the job at hand, loving the ones in your life all you can and making the best out of any situation. Resilient, tough, hard working and always thinking of the other person first. Don Kinsler represents the very best of the greatest generation. He will be missed but the great thing about the greatest generation is what they leave us with. A legacy of self sacrifice, kindness and the willingness to get the job done. You wont read of Don’s passing in the New York Times or see it covered on ABC News because his kind of greatness goes unnoticed to our society today.

    So Gary, Dennis and Connie I pray as your minds are flooded this week with memories and sweet thoughts of your Dad you will be reassured and comforted in this thought that your Dad was great at being a part of the “greatest generation”. With much love and many prayers may we all strive to live the legacy he has left.

  6. Linda Strickland December 4, 2014 at 3:59 pm

    My sympathies to all of the Kinsler family. When a loved one makes the transition from this reality to the next, it is always heartbreaking for those left behind. I feel fortunate to have known and loved Don and his family. I know that he is now dancing in the sky and enjoying his reunion with his loved ones that have previously passed.

  7. Dick and Janet Gray December 4, 2014 at 4:38 pm

    The Kinsler Family
    Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Thinking of you. Your dad was a good man.
    Dick and Janet

  8. Sherry Kinsler Jeffers December 4, 2014 at 8:13 pm

    Uncle Donald was the “cream of the crop” in our family. He definitely makes us all proud of our Kinsler name and bloodline. He will be missed, but always cherished in our hearts and memories. My father, Steven Truman Kinsler, Poppy Francis Kinsler and Uncle Larry Kinsler are in heaven welcoming Uncle Donald with loving open arms.

  9. Kim & Bob Ray December 4, 2014 at 8:17 pm

    Our sincere sympathy to Nancy, and the family. We became friends through the Mitchells. Don was a kind, friendly, gentleman. He always had a smile and loving personality. We will miss him. You all are in our prayers.

  10. Greg and Karen Wysong December 5, 2014 at 9:16 am

    Please accept our condolence on your loss of Don. Enjoyed golfing with him. Community minded and always spoke to you when you saw him. He will be missed.

  11. Fred Heavilon, Jr. December 6, 2014 at 5:23 pm

    Mr. Kinsler was a great man and leader. My condolences are with the Kinsler family and the many friends of Mr. Kinsler.

  12. Suilon Benjamin & Y- Water Angels December 7, 2014 at 7:53 am

    To our dearly beloved Nancy and family,

    As Nancy’s water-class at the Y for years we were blessed to know Don as the most loving and attentive husband ever… We were blessed to see him always being there for her from mixing up 10 bottles of medicine a day, to bringing her to the Y for water exercise that her own doctor in Chicago swore kept her Parkinson’s at bay, to taking on dialysis to enable him to be around to take care of her… Such devotion and mutual love were a true testimony to lasting marriage especially in this day and age… We celebrated many anniversaries and birthdays with them usually over breakfast after class…
    Our thoughts and prayers are with her and the whole family as we even offer our prayers in the water…We will continue to be there for you, Nancy…
    Love & God Bless, Suilon & Rae and the Y-Water Angels (so named by Nancy)

  13. Lori Criswell December 7, 2014 at 2:51 pm

    To the Kinsler family. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you during the loss of your dad. What a wonderful person he was. His true commitment to caring for Nancy was truly amazing. I will miss him going past my office at the manor on his many trips over to visit with Nancy. He always had a genuine smile on his face. May your memories comfort you during this difficult time. Lori Criswell

  14. Robin Butler December 7, 2014 at 5:32 pm

    Our greatest sympathy to the Kinsler family, a great man from a great generation has left us. Shan said it well.

  15. LaVerne George December 8, 2014 at 10:12 am

    We remember the times we were together and when you visited us in Newburgh. The best wishes to your family.

  16. Beth Sharp December 8, 2014 at 10:44 pm

    My thoughts and prayers are with Don’s family during this time. I remember the many times seeing Don and Nancy at St. Matthew Methodist Church, the Jim Dandy, and most recent years at Wesley Manor when visiting my grandpa. He also had a smile whenever I saw him. He was so devoted to Nancy and assisted her especially after she was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. He was such a wonderful man and will be greatly missed. My condolences to the Kinslers- Nancy, Connie, Gary, and Dennis. I will miss seeing Don when I come back to Frankfort to visit. Beth Sharp

  17. Mary Brittain December 15, 2014 at 2:23 pm

    I’m so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of you. It has been my pleasure to take care of Don these last few years. He will be missed here at the clinic.

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