Cindy Kreider
Cindy and Matt Kreider
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — While surrounded and comforted by her loving husband and children, Cindy Kreider, 62, was called home by her gentle and merciful Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, on Aug. 4, 2025, at the University of Louisville Hospital in Louisville, Ky. The journey to her eternal rest, though untimely for us, was according to the perfect will of the Good Shepherd, whom she followed with devotion. No longer in the dark and deep valley, she now resides in the greenest of pastures and near the stillest of waters in the Shepherd’s Rest.
Cynthia Ann Kreider (Schirmer) was born in Oakland, Calif., to Virgil and Patsy Schirmer on Sept. 22, 1962. Her father returned from California to Christopher, Ill., as a letter carrier for the USPS, where Cindy enjoyed a quiet childhood. As a young teenager, Cindy heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ at a youth Bible camp and became a child of God by grace through faith. Her life was never the same. God gave her a passion and desire to serve Him and others faithfully wherever the Lord would lead. As a student at Southern Illinois University, she was very involved with Campus Crusade for Christ, where she learned to boldly share her faith with other students. In the summer of 1986, she traveled with Campus Crusade as a student missionary to communist Romania telling people about Jesus, who died for their sins.
Cindy later moved to Dallas to attend Dallas Theological Seminary, where she was learning to become a missionary. It was there in Dallas that she met her husband, Matt Kreider, who was also a student at Dallas Seminary. They met in Sunday School on Easter Sunday in 1995 and were married in June of 1996. After Matt graduated from seminary, they moved to Crystal Falls, where he served as the pastor of Lakeview Bible Church and later they left to serve in the Army, when Matt became an active duty chaplain.
Cindy thrived in the Army community, where her gifts of hospitality and teaching were used for God’s glory. The fruit of her ministry truly had a global impact as her life intersected with many other Army spouses who then, in the Providence of God, would move with the military around the globe. For 25 years, Cindy faithfully served through the ministry of Protestant Women of the Chapel (PWOC). She taught many Bible studies, worked as a local PWOC board member, planned and coordinated women’s retreats, taught as a conference and seminar speaker, mentored young moms, and at any opportunity she opened her home to refresh the hearts of the saints. She was a blessing to so many.
Though her body is laid to rest, the body of her life’s work and ministry, her testimony of faith in Christ, her commitment to serve the Lord and through Him to serve others, that body of work will not pass away. It will be carried forth by those whom she lovingly nurtured in the Lord and by her beloved family. Having put on the full armor of God in humble service to Him, Cindy’s faith has now become sight for to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.
She is survived by her husband, Matt Kreider, currently stationed at Fort Knox, Ky.; her children, Anna Mae (Andrew) Hames of Dalton, Ga., Emily Ruth (Tyler) Heykoop of Great Falls, Mont., Luke Schirmer Kreider of Ionia, Mich.; and two sisters in Christopher, Tina Fletcher and Trish (Jeff) Sherk. Cindy loved and enjoyed her three grandchildren, David Matthew Hames, Anena Lillie Hames, and Arda Mae Heykoop. She is also survived by her much-loved in-laws, Richard and Sharon Kreider of Florence, Wis.
Cindy was preceded in death by her mother, Patsy Sue Schirmer (Baker), and her father, Virgil Lee Schirmer, both of Christopher.
A memorial service for Cindy is planned for Saturday, Aug. 23, at 1 p.m. at Lakeview Bible Church, 1211 S. U.S. 2, Crystal Falls, MI 49920.