Thomas E. Kinder Sr., age 79 of Defiance, peacefully passed away on Sunday, February 11, 2024 at The Laurels of Defiance. He was born on November 3, 1944 to the late Art and Luella (Moore) Kinder in Defiance, Ohio. On September 11, 1965 he married Janis Conkright, who preceded him in death on May 27, 2023.

Tom was a faithful member of First Church of God in Defiance. He worked straight out of high school at John's Manville until his retirement. He was a loyal and hard-working man who loved spending time with his family and attending his grandchildren's ball games. Tom was a huge fan of The Ohio State Buckeyes and Chicago Cubs. He had a great sense of humor and will be greatly missed by his family and friends. Tom is survived by his sons, Thomas (Elizabeth) Kinder Jr. of Lebanon, TN and Scott W. (Miranda) Kinder of Ft Wayne, IN, four grandchildren; Ryan, Brianne, Kaitlyn and Joshua, and four great-grandchildren; Tristen, Haley, Zane and Eden.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Janis, three brothers and one sister. Visitation will be held on Friday, February 16, 2024 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm at Schaffer Funeral Home in Defiance. A funeral service will follow at 12:00 pm at the funeral home, with Pastor Larry Kennedy officiating. Tom will be laid to rest at Riverview Memory Gardens. Memorials are suggested to CHP Defiance Inpatient Hospice Center. Online condolences can be given at www.Schafferfh.com.