Obituary of Kendall Rene' Schlichting

Kendall Rene` Schlichting, 41, of Springfield, MO passed away at her home on Monday March 18, 2024, following a few years of declining health. Kendall was born in Joplin, MO to Robert Schlichting and Judy (Schlichting) Gastel. She graduated from Lamar High School in 2001 and attended MSU in Springfield, MO where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design. She worked in graphic design for several companies including Black River Imaging, Marlon, Cox Health, and EnSight Solutions in Strafford, MO who was her employer when she passed. She lived in Lamar, MO, Loveland, CO, and Albuquerque, NM but the majority of her adult life was lived in the Springfield, MO area. She was a talented free spirit who loved music and art, especially painting and photography. She was a joyful caring person who loved nature, animals, and the oppressed. She was compassionate to the homeless and would approach them without hesitation to find out how she could help them. She would often turn around and go back into a store to bring someone in need a meal or item they needed. She donated her time and talent to pet rescue centers. She is survived by her mother Judy Gastel of Lamar, MO; siblings Cara (John) Richey of Fort Smith, AR, Darek (Cami) Colaw of Lamar, MO, Scott (Tony) Schlichting of Joplin, MO, and Athena (Keith) Guest of Diamond, MO. She is also survived by her ex-husband and good friend Matt Heumader of Springfield, MO; her loyal companion Tana, a Chihuahua; and by many cousins, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and a host of friends. She is preceded in death by her father Robert Schlichting, stepfather Keith Gastel, brother Tarin Colaw, and grandparents. Please do not send flowers. If you would like to make a memorial contribution the family suggests Rescue One in Springfield, MO, your local pet rescue, or homeless shelter. The family will be having a private burial service but would like to celebrate Kendall's life online. Please use the tribute wall on this page to add photos of Kendall, tell stories and share her artwork. All of your memories will be printed in a tribute book for the family. If you would like to order a copy you can do it from her memorial page. Photos may not populate to the slide show at the top of the page when entered with a gesture, candle, or online condolence. Please submit them separately. A Celebration of Life will be held at Memorial Hall April 13th from 3PM to 5 PM.