Kris Howard Blinkilde

Kris "Blinky" Blinkilde passed away peacefully in his sleep October 11, 2026.

Kris served with distinction as an officer in the Flint Police Department for 23 years earning a Certificate of Commendation, his rookie year. He later earned a Letter of Merit, and another Certificate of Commendation in 1995. It should be noted that a Certificate of Commendation is awarded for police service which requires exceptional courage and bravery or extreme diligence and dedication to duty. We are proud of Kris' dedication to the citizens of Flint.

We are most proud of Kris as a husband to Calleen Jaksa Wagner, father to Will Bland and Adam Cook, grandfather to Riley and Nash, brother (to Paula Cardelli, Karen Blinkilde, and Peter Blinkilde), true brother in arms and best friend to Officer Keith Speer and a friend to all. Keith let us know that Roy Foster, Jennifer Foster, and Clarence Banks (deceased) were extremely important to Kris and we are blessed to know that.

He loved music (cue the Ramones), loved to play darts, was a world champion pun master, Elvis impersonator, and a cancer survivor. Kris loved to make people laugh and make funny faces. Kris was a Mall Santa and took the skills he learned there to be a Santa for animals at Town and Country Animal Clinic in Greenville, Michigan. He was a gentle soul who would rather take care of you than himself and always had a positive attitude.

Kris went to Southfield-Lathrup High School where he played on the varsity baseball team. He earned his Criminal Justice degree at Ferris State University before moving on to police work.

We will miss him, but we are blessed to know Kris lives in heaven with his Mom and Dad (Paul and Gyritha Blinkilde). Kris would not want us to be sad but rather celebrate the life he had and remember him with a smile. A Memorial service will take place at a later date. Those desiring may consider memorial contributions to the Flint Police Foundation at https://flintpolicefnd.net/ or to the American Diabetes Association at https://donate.diabetes.org/wefight?form=FUNEPUUABRA .

Kris' obituary was lovingly written by his family.