Monday evening, Kristopher Myers, Superintendent of the Bellefontaine Joint Recreation District, passed away unexpectedly.
Shortly after 5:30 p.m., Bellefontaine medics responded to reports of a man who had fallen down a set of stairs.
Upon police arrival, CPR was already in progress.
Myers was transported to Mary Rutan Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
He had served as parks superintendent since January 2005, where his first week on the job coincided with a major ice storm.
Wednesday afternoon, officials from the City of Bellefontaine released this statement:
“Kris Myers served the City of Bellefontaine with dedication and heart since January of 2005. Over his 20 years with us, he was instrumental in expanding youth programming, improving efficiencies and processes, and shaping a vision of recreation that was rooted in community, inclusion, and opportunity. Under his leadership, the outdated Kaleidoscope playground was transformed into the Play at the Peak adaptive playground, a space where children of all abilities can play side by side. Kris oversaw the adoption and management of Myeerah Nature Preserve as a city park, giving residents access to one of our region’s most beautiful natural assets. He also worked collaboratively with local schools to launch the winter walking program, continually seeking new ways to promote health and wellness in our community. Perhaps most significantly, Kris helped usher in a new era for the Joint Recreation District through the passage of a dedicated income tax for park improvements and operations. As a direct result of that effort, new playground equipment has been installed at Oakland Square Park, the city has begun planning for a new municipal pool and has broken ground on the reimagined park at Harmon Field. These transformative projects — and the memories they will create for generations to come — stand as a testament to Kris’s vision and leadership. Kris was not only a respected superintendent — he was a good friend. He cared about this community, its families, and especially its children. His loss leaves a tremendous void in our city, but his imprint will remain visible in every park, every program, and every child’s smile. But what always struck me most about Kris was how central his family was in his life. He was a devoted husband and father, and he often spoke about his kids with genuine pride and affection. The same patience, care, and integrity he showed at home carried into his work — and it’s part of what made him so effective and so respected. Losing Kris leaves a hole in our hearts and our organization that can’t be filled. As we move forward, we will honor him by continuing the dream he believed in — building community spaces where families can connect, play, and grow together. And we will do so with the same heart and humility that Kris brought to work every day. Our priority now is supporting his family, our staff, and this community during this difficult time.”
Pastor Joe Ziraldo will officiate a funeral service on Saturday, December 6, 2025, at 1:00 pm in the Bellefontaine First Church of God, 1000 E. Brown Ave., Bellefontaine, Ohio 43311.
Visitation will be both on Friday, December 5th, from 3 to 6 pm at the Eichholtz & Daring Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 321 N. Main. St., Bellefontaine, and also on Saturday, at the Bellefontaine First Church of God, two hours prior to the service, from 11 to 1 pm.
Burial will be in Bellefontaine Cemetery.
Myers was 46 years old.
