Tristan Emmanuel Lane Boyles age 25 of Kendallville, IN passed away on Sunday, April 5, 2026 in Garrett, IN due to a vehicle accident. Tristan was born September 28, 2000 in Ft. Wayne, IN to Nathan J. Boyles and Tara L. Chaffin. He married Allison B. Cunningham on June 3, 2023 in Lafayette, IN. He was an automotive technician at Tire Star in Ligonier, IN.

He was an Eagle Scout and volunteered at Soarin’ Hawk Raptor Rehabilitation and the Ft. Wayne, Zoo.

He was a Ninja Warrior at the CCC in Auburn, IN and was a member of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church – Garrett, IN.

Tristan is survived by his wife: Allison B. Boyles, Kendallville, IN; son: Augustine J. Boyles, Kendallville, IN; father: Nathan Boyles, Angola, IN ; mother : Tara and Mike Lilly, Garrett, IN; brothers: Trennan Lilly, Garrett, IN; Roman White, Angola, IN; sisters: Trinity Lilly, Garrett, IN; Cathlynn White, Angola, IN; mother and father in-law: Karen and Brian Cunningham, Carmel, IN; brother in-law: Ben and Claire Cunningham, Indianapolis, IN; sister in-law: Avery Cunningham Carmel, IN; grandparents: Don and Tonya Chaffin, Roc and Carolyn Brown, Susan Miller, Robert and Barbara VanDewoestine, Daniel and Catherine Cunningham.

Tristan was preceded in death by Grandpa Jim Miller, and his Great-grandparents Chaffin, Avery, Brown, Schiffli and Rhetts.

As a child, Tristan had the brightest, most creative imagination his family had seen. He loved to pretend to play being a dinosaur, an animal or different characters. He was curious and a life long learner. When he was interested in something, he did everything he could to learn all about it. When he discovered he liked dinosaurs, he read all the books and watched all the videos to know the most possible. This was also true for all of his fandoms, from animals, nature, and Star Wars. He joined Cub Scouts in 1st grade and went all the way through Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, earning Eagle Scout rank. As a teen, he fostered his love for animals as a teen volunteer at the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo. It was there he discovered that he wanted to be a zookeeper, after years of wanting to be a Paleontologist.Following high school he attended Purdue University in West Lafayette and received his Bachelor's degree in Interdisciplinary Agriculture. While there he met his wife Allie. They have a beautiful love story with plans and dreams to build a family life together.

Tristan attended Lakewood Park Christian School from kindergarten through high school graduation. He attended New Hope Christian Center from birth and became a Jesus follower at a very young age. He would say he began to make his faith his own at 11 when he chose to be baptized. His curiosity and thirst for knowledge extended into faith as well. He studied theology, Church history, and the Bible more and more throughout his adult life. He always had questions and sought the answers. He and his wife came to believe that the Lutheran Church was the place for them and they became members of Zion Lutheran Church in Garrett. Just like with everything else, Tristan dove right into serving and fully participating in his church. Recently he felt God's call into pastoral service and ministry, and was preparing to attend Concordia Theological Seminary. He was deeply rooted in faith in Christ, service to God, church, and family.

He enjoyed the outdoors and many outdoor activities, like fire-building, fishing, hunting, exploring, identifying animals and plants, and even catching insects to study them. He collected knives and guns and was interested in historical weapons. He loved to be with his friends, doing the things they enjoy like playing tabletop games and roleplaying games. He joined a whole new community when he discovered American Ninja Warrior. He became a fixture of the Ninja Warrior gym at the Classic City Center, as he trained and taught there for many years and competed in Ninja competitions. He liked cars and building and creating things. He built relationships with anyone that shared an interest with him. Tristan had his serious side, but he was also very funny and loved to laugh. He could be silly and didn't miss a chance to prank his loved ones. His love and protection for his wife and infant son were unmatched, and they were his greatest joy. Tristan will be missed dearly by his wife and child, his parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins, friends, and work and hobby colleagues.

Visitation will take place from 2-7 p.m. Friday, April 10, 2026 at Thomas Funeral Home, 1277 C.R. 56, Garrett, IN and from Noon – 1 p.m. Saturday, April 11, 2026 at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church – Garrett, IN.

Services will take place at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 11, 2026 at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church – Garrett, IN with Rev. Keaton Christiansen officiating.

Burial will follow in Christian Union Cemetery – Garrett, IN.

In lieu of flowers -memorials are to Concordia Theological Seminary, 6600 N Clinton Street,Fort Wayne, IN, https://give.ctsfw.edu/campaign/788497/donate

OR

Soarin' Hawk Raptor Rehabilitation.

Those wishing to send donations to the family can Venmo those to Allison: Allison-Cunningham-28