Horton C Kinder

Born: July 5, 1930

Died: January 14, 2012

Horton Charles Kinder, a 46 year resident of Fort Wayne, Indiana died Saturday, January 14, 2012 at 81 years old at Lutheran Life Villages. He was born on July 5, 1930 in Oak Park, Illinois to Lester and Helen Kinder.

Horton graduated from Oak Park River Forest High School in 1949. For two years he attended Cornell College in Mt. Vernon, Iowa, where he played on the football team. After transferring to Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, where he was a member of the Psi Upsilon fraternity, Horton graduated in 1955 with a BS degree in Industrial Engineering. During 1956-57, he served on active duty in the U.S. Army and was honorably discharged from the reserves in 1964.

In 1951, Horton began his career as an industrial engineer with the Chicago Screw Company, later Stanadyne, Inc., of Garrett, IN. After 38 years of loyal service, he retired from Stanadyne in 1989. He later worked as a realtor with Coldwell Banker Banks Mallough and as a commercial building inspector for Allen County, IN.

Horton married Judy Johansen of Oak Park, Illinois in 1960. They moved to Fort Wayne, IN, in 1965 where they raised their three children. He and Judy divorced in 1992. In 2007, Horton married Helene Cundey shortly before her death.

Horton was a member of First Presbyterian Church where he served on the board of trustees and as an Elder. He enjoyed being a member of the Lions Club for many years as well as being a part of the scouting program.

Horton is survived by his former wife of 32 years, Judy Surfus, and three children: Dr. Karen Kinder and her husband, Dr. Jochen Siemens, of Serrig, Germany; The Rev. Sheryl Kinder-Pyle and her husband, the Rev. Dr. Scott, of Spokane, Washington; and Dr. Jeff Kinder and his wife, Celine Levesque, of Ottawa, Canada. Surviving also are 7 grandsons, his sister, Marge Montgomery, and her husband, Jim, and his sister-in-law, Ruby Kinder. Horton was preceded in death by his parents and older brother, Lester Kinder, Jr.

A memorial service will be held at Lutheran Life Village chapel, 6723 S. Anthony Blvd., Fort Wayne at 2pm this Tuesday, January 17. Visitation will precede the memorial service at 1pm. In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to First Presbyterian Church, Fort Wayne, IN. www.klaehnfahlmelton.com