Paul William Krier, 51, a lifelong Indianapolis resident, passed away November 5, 2023. He will be remembered for his ability to help others celebrate life, whether he was singing and strumming his guitar for them or scoring touchdowns for Bishop Chatard High School and later for the Kokomo Mustangs, the semi-pro team for which he played.

According to Amy Kistler Krier, whom Paul married in 1998, “He was always there for people. It made his day to make them smile.”

Paul also loved it when others made him smile, such as when he asked Amy’s father for permission to marry Amy. As she recalls, Paul was deeply relieved when he heard the reply: “Yes! It’s about time, stoop!”

Paul was born to Jackie Prange Krier and William Joseph Krier on January 31, 1972. He attended Immaculate Heart of Mary and Christ the King grade schools, was graduated from Bishop Chatard High School and attended Indiana University. He was both a Cub Scout and a Boy Scout, achieving the rank of Life Scout.

Paul was known for cherishing his friends and typically greeting them with one of two nicknames: “Monk,” (“What’s up, Monk?”) or “Kiddo” (“How ya doin’, Kiddo?”). His cousin, Matt Krier, one of the Monks, recalls that Paul would toss in humor wherever he could, playing his guitar, dealing cards for games of Showdown and more:  “He would make people laugh showing them his oddly shaped elbow.” In addition, Matt and his wife Molly Kartholl Krier credit Paul with helping them to launch their relationship. Says Matt, “When Molly and I first started dating I invited her to a party at a friend’s house. She was hesitant to go as she was going to Aruba the next morning with her family, but went to the party for a moment, stopped and thought about going home. Then she met Paul. He played the Beach Boys song ‘Kokomo’ and sang, ‘Aruba, Jamaica, you know I wanna take ya’ while he was looking at Molly. She said she couldn’t have felt more welcomed or picked a better friend group.”

Paul’s welcoming ways were standard throughout his life. As his cousin, Theresa Krier Fleck, one of the Kiddos, puts it, “It was remarkable how kind he always was. I never heard an unkind word from Paul. Ever.”

Paul is survived by his wife, Amy Kistler Krier; mother, Jackie Prange Krier; father, William Joseph Krier; sisters, Jennifer Krier & Michelle Krier Greer; brother-in-law, David Greer; niece, Kaylee Greer; uncles, Larry (Chris) Prange, George (Connie) Krier, John (Kim) Krier Tom (Pam) Krier; aunts, Beth Ann Krier, Mary Krier (Bryan) Clayton, Annie Krier-Drake, Suzanne Hewitt, Carolyn Friedman; legions of cousins and tons of Monks and Kiddos. Paul was preceded in death by his uncles, Joe Krier, Jim Krier, & Paul Prange, Jr. ; aunt, Barb Krier; cousin, Michael Krier.

A Celebration of Paul’s Life will be held from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Sunday, November 19 at The Northside Events and Social Club, formerly known as The Northside Knights of Columbus, 2100 East 71st Street,  Indianapolis, Indiana 46220

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