A. Sebastian Kardatzke

Sebastian Kardatzke, age 22, passed into eternal life on February 5, 2013, in Sugar Grove, Illinois. Named André Sebastian by his parents, the late Dr. E. Stanley and Suzonne Caillouet Kardatzke, he was born January 27, 1991, in Manhattan, Kansas, and was their youngest child. Sebastian first attended St. Stephen’s Day School in Coconut Grove, Florida while the family lived in Coral Gables, Florida. He attended Colonial Christian School after the family relocated to Indianapolis, Indiana, 1997. Homeschooling for several years enabled Sebastian to travel with his parents and enjoy mutual recreational activities with his dad. Sebastian attended Academy Plus in Carmel, Indiana, and then Light House Christian Academy (ABM Ministries), a boarding high school in Missouri, from which he graduated with honors on March 28, 2010. A fisherman and athlete like his dad, Sebastian was “a natural” at sports, especially tennis, and also soccer, golf, skateboarding, snowboarding, and unicycling. Throughout his brief life, Sebastian’s risk-taking athleticism resulted in fairly regular visits to the ER and his orthopedic surgeon’s office. Fracturing his back in three places in auto accident at age 20, he was miraculously healed 30 days later in a worship service. X-rays by his orthopedic surgeon substantiated this healing, which he unashamedly shared as part of his life’s story. As a young man, he enjoyed cooking, grilling, singing, dancing, helping others, and serving in church. His favorite delight was in the area of auto-mechanics tinkering on motorcycles and automobiles. Sebastian was a certified welder, having trained at the J. Everitt Light Career Center in Indianapolis. Prior to his auto accident he had landed an apprenticeship in welding and pipefitting in Logansport 2010, and he worked briefly for Dilling Mechanical Contractors, Inc. on location in Anderson, Indiana. He relocated to the Chicago area in January, 2011, where he held jobs in other commercial establishments. Sebastian had made his commitment to Jesus Christ in his early years and was baptized in water and in the Holy Spirit in 2010. He attended Church at the Crossing as a youngster in Indianapolis and ABM Ministries in high school. Post-high school and prior to moving to Illinois, he sang in the choir at First Baptist Church of Carmel, and he frequently attended Friday night Shabbat service at Shaarey Yeshua in Indianapolis. He especially loved participating in the watch-night service each New Year’s Eve at Greater St. Mark’s Missionary Baptist Church in Indianapolis. Friends and family members especially remember Sebastian’s creative art projects and welding inventions, his ink drawings, his high energy, and his ability to make others laugh. Sebastian’s curiosity and engaging personality created excitement and joy for young and old alike. He comfortably interfaced with diverse socio-economic groups, and to those he loved he was singularly loyal and attentive. He planned to move to Colorado in April 2013 to live with his brother, Corrigan, and attend a technical school. Multiple losses and inconsolable grief culminated in his sudden death. Sebastian is survived by his maternal grandfather, Howard J. Caillouet; his mother, Suzonne Caillouet Kardatzke; his brother and sister-in-law, Corrigan & Megan Kardatzke; his sister, Dominique; his sister-in-law, Shannon D’Isep; and three step-siblings, Heidi, Holly, and Erik. He was preceded in death by his father, Dr. E. Stanley Kardatzke (2012); his maternal grandmother, Marie Y. Caillouet (2012); and paternal grandparents, Rev. Elmer Kardatzke and Vera Stanley Kardatzke. Condolences may be sent to Mrs. E. Stanley Kardatzke, 535 West 5th Avenue, Springfield, CO 81073. Sebastian’s memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 16, 2013, at the First Baptist Church of Carmel, 1010 East 126th Street, Carmel, IN 46033, with 1:00 pm calling and 2:00 pm service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Sebastian’s name to ABM Ministries, Inc., RR 3, Box 34725, Piedmont, MO 63957.