Kendel G. Kafer, 60, St. Joseph, Missouri, passed away Monday, May 26, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.
He was born August 4, 1964 in Blackwell, Oklahoma, to Kenneth and Lily (Hopson) Kafer.
He was an electrician for the IBEW Local #545 for 40 years and spent 20-plus of these years working at Waldinger Corp.
To say Kendel was a golf fanatic would be an understatement. He LOVED the game and played every chance he could get. A member of the Fairview Men’s Club, he had especially strong feelings toward Hole #9 at that course.
Kendel also was a big Chiefs fan and Royals fan, who enjoyed hanging out with friends at “choir practice,” which was code for watching the game and having a few beers.
An ornery and outgoing guy who always had a joke ready, he always found a way to help everybody and was loved by lots of people.
Most of all, Kendel loved being a PaPa to his grandkids. The love he had for his family leaves them with lasting memories to cherish.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and brother, Ken Curnutte.
Survivors include his children, BreAnna Kafer; Lauren Meyer (Jeffrey), Austin Kafer (Addisyn Ishmael), and Brennan Kafer; grandchildren, Owen Meyer, Beckham Meyer, and Wyatt Anderson; the mother of his children, Shelly Kafer; siblings, Tom Curnutte (Joan), Kerry Kafer, Kema Salata (Steve), Doug Kafer (Jyll), and Leasa Huffman (Rick); numerous other extended family members and friends.
The family will gather with friends 5:00 to 8:00 P.M. Monday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Private Family Inurnment at a later date, Memorial Park Cemetery. The family suggests memorial contributions to the Melanoma Research Foundation.
