The softball community lost a former club coach and well-liked member of the Florida fastpitch community recently when Jon Kistler, who had ties to the Santa Fe Inferno and Tamp Mustangs organizations, passed away.
His daughter, Katie, is currently a sophomore outfielder on the Florida Gator softball team and head coach Tim Walton also offered his condolences on his Twitter page:
Sending our heart felt condolences to @katie_kistler07 and the entire Kistler family. Katie lost her dad Jon suddenly August 11th. Coach Kistler was a good honest man and most importantly a great father to his kids and husband to Michelle. You will be missed Mr. Kistler, RIP! pic.twitter.com/KpoR4ZVtAF
— Tim Walton (@_TimWalton) August 14, 2021
Jason Nowling, the President of the Inferno organization and the head coach of the program’s 18U Gold team, created a GoFundMe to help the family and told Extra Inning Softball:
“Katie played for Inferno for years and Jon was an Inferno coach for her team thru 16U. She played for me some during that time and then went to TJ (Goelz) at the Mustangs for her last year.”
“She committed to Florida while playing for us and her dad was one proud Poppa; Jon was very well known in our area and respected. He was a softball junkie.”
In the GoFundMe writeup, Nowling stated:
Jon Kistler was a wonderful Father, Coach, Friend and a valued member of both the Santa Fe Inferno and Tampa Mustangs organizations and has touched the lives of those around him.
He dedicated his life to his family and left an impact on every player he coached.
Jon leaves behind an amazing family who are trying their best to navigate through these difficult times.
The Santa Fe Inferno and Tampa Mustangs organizations are devastated by this loss and want to do whatever we can to help take some of the financial burden off of his wonderful family.
Coach Goelz, who is assisting with helping provide support for the family, adds to those thinking of helping out the family:
“Even a small donation could help Jason Nowling reach their fundraising goal. And if you can’t make a donation, it would be great if you could share the fundraiser to help spread the word.”
Click HERE to go to the GoFundMe Page
