As an auto mechanic for 35 years in Oakmont, John Kinder was known by nearly everyone in the community for his giving nature, strong work ethic and dedication to his friends and family.
"My father was the kindest and most generous man I knew. My mother has 13 siblings, and he has opened his home to at least eight of them at some point of his life," said his daughter, Kimberly Hong of Oakmont.
John "Jack" Kinder of Oakmont died Monday, June 21, 2010, in UPMC St. Margaret after a long battle with cancer. He was 68.
Though he did not go to college, Mr. Kinder used his people skills and sense of humor to move up the business ladder. In the late 1960s, Mr. Kinder began working at Action Industries in Harwick and was quickly promoted to a supervisor's position.
"Anybody and everybody felt comfortable around him," said Mr. Kinder's friend of 37 years, Mark Harvanek. "He was one of those people you could trust, whether he was working on your car or organizing a charity raffle."
In 1973, he began working part time at Oakmont Truck Rental, where he met Harvanek. After three years of holding full- and part-time jobs, Mr. Kinder took his savings and opened Kinder's Auto Service in 1976.
"He was a people person, always doing something for someone," Harvanek said. "I don't know how he found all the time he did to finish his many projects, and I was working right along next to him."
In 1977, Mr. Kinder married Agnes Lengle, a resident of Indianola, whom he met five years earlier while they both worked at Action Industries. Mr. Kinder continued to run his business until late 2004, when he closed it and returned to Oakmont Truck Rental to work as shop superintendent.
"I sometimes had to tell him to quit being Santa Claus," Mrs. Kinder said. "When senior citizens in the community needed their six-month auto inspections, he would spend almost $300 worth of material fixing the body on some of their cars.
"When it came time for them to pay, he would only charge them the $12.76 it cost for the inspection."
Mr. Kinder belonged to a number of civic groups, including the Oakmont Elks, Verona Eagles and the Oakmont American Legion, and was a Freemason.
"He was just such an amazing man," Mrs. Kinder said. "We were never rich, but we were always happy."
In addition to his wife, Agnes, and daughter, Kimberly, Mr. Kinder is survived by his children, John Kinder Jr. and Jane Hewitt, both of Washington; four grandchildren; a sister, Joyce Yareck of McMurray; and four brothers, Robert Kinder of Monongahela; David Kinder of Schenectady, N.Y.; Isaac Kinder of North Point, Fla.; and Jeff Kinder of Vero Beach, Fla.
Visitation will be from 2 p.m. until the time of service at 7 p.m. Friday in the Burket-Truby Funeral Home Cremation and Alternative Services Inc., 421 Allegheny Ave., Oakmont.
The service will be held in the funeral home with the Rev. Donald T. Blinn Jr. officiating. Interment will be private.
