‘One of the best coaches’: Frankton community grieves loss of local husband, father

FRANKTON, Ind. — Members of the Frankton community are grieving the loss of a man they said was a friend to all. Zach Kinser, 30, died last week after an accident at work, but his family and friends are determined to keep his memory alive.

Kinser was electrically shocked while on a ladder on Aug. 25. He was rushed to the hospital after the accident.

Doctors initially told Kinser’s family that he would need to receive treatment for a couple months. His family’s hopes for his recovery came to a crushing end days later.

“He was the glue of this side of (the) family, he kept everybody together,” brother-in-law Nick Risinger said. ”(He was) too young to pass over something like this. It’s just crazy to me.”

The husband and father of three is being remembered for his generosity and competitive spirit as a youth baseball and softball coach. 

“He was one of the best coaches I ever had,” 12-year-old Miles Bell said. 

On Monday, people gathered in candlelight where Kinser shined as a mentor, not only to the kids he coached but to the whole community.

“You could walk anywhere in Frankton and mention Zach’s name and most of the kids are going to know who he is,” fellow coach Chris Bell said.

Tears fell as prayers went up for the treasured coach Monday night. His family is left holding onto what they loved most.

“(I’ll hold onto) his laughter, his heart, his playfulness,” Risinger said. “He always liked to joke around.”

Although never the same, the community takes comfort in knowing that Kinser will never be too far away.

“It’ll be different, it’ll be one of those things that everybody knows he was there sitting on the sidelines cheering on,” Chris said. “ … When they drive by the ball field, they’ll remember Zach. When they drive by and see his family, they’ll remember Zach.”

The community is also supporting the Kinser family through t-shirt and car decal sales. A bowling fundraiser is set for Sept. 13 at Wells Lanes in Elwood. Kinser’s wife, Kayla, said a mural will be painted in his honor on the side of town hall.