Kevin W. Muendlein, 66, of Swansea, IL, born November 18, 1959, in Belleville, IL, died Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at his son’s house in Waterloo, IL.
Most people knew him as Coach Kev – His family knew him as a son, brother, PawPaw K, and most importantly Dad (Pops). Our Dad had a love for his family, friends, and players that is unmatched. Our time with our dad was unfortunately cut short, but he will live on through his family and most importantly his grandkids (Cannon, Sawyer & Kalli). We are proud of our dad who fought his heart out to beat pancreatic cancer and the lasting effects that came after beating the initial disease.
Our Dad was well known in the game of baseball by many players, families, other coaches, and UMPIRES. He was passionate about everything he did and had an uncanny ability to turn players, co-workers, and friends into family! Pops from day one instilled into us that family was always going to be the most important part of our lives… he stayed true to that all the way to the end by attending as many of the grandkid’s events, holidays and our random get togethers to watch 12 hours of football or basketball in our sports basements. He stopped at nothing to give everything he could to make sure we had whatever we needed and carried that down and took it to the next level with the grandkids. Pops/PawPaw K, will be forever missed and has left an unfillable hole in our hearts.
We will forever remember him as someone that loved hard, fought for what he believed was right (out or safe – ball or strike), and more importantly as a best friend. He was the person that would always be able to take your call to let you vent about life or work, seek advice, or talk about sports. His final words were “love you” and that is ultimately what he did until the end. He LOVED – He loved his kids, his mom, his sister, his grandkids, his friends, and ALL of his players!
He was preceded in death by his father, Donald Muendlein.
Surviving are two sons, Corey (Ashley) Muendlein and Aaron (Brooke) Muendlein; three grandchildren, Cannon Muendlein, Sawyer Muendlein and Kalli Muendlein;
his mother, Jacqueline Muendlein, nee Zbornak; a sister, Karan (Mark) Onstott; a niece, Lesley Onstott; and a nephew, Austin Onstott.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The BackStoppers Inc. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.
Visitation: Friends may visit from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, May 1, 2026, and from 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 2, 2026, at George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, IL.
Funeral: Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 2, 2026, at George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, IL, with Rev. Jamey Bridges officiating.
Burial will be at Valhalla Gardens of Memory, Belleville, IL.
