SALT LAKE CITY — The Winder family is mourning the loss of Isaac Winder, who passed away Sunday after becoming severely sick in China.

Winder, 28, became very ill and dehydrated after getting food poisoning. He was on medication for previous medical issues and doctors told the family his levels got out of balance and his health quickly deteriorated.

While the family mourns, they are grateful for a couple of tender mercies.

“We had some great blessings despite these challenges,” said Aimee Winder Newton, the oldest of five Winder siblings. “One is my cousin Clay was able to immediately go out to China to help Candalyn (Isaac’s wife) because Isaac is his best friend.”

Another tender mercy she said was when Isaac's brother, Mike Winder — former mayor of West Valley City — and their father, Kent, flew to China earlier this week to be with Isaac. Newton said they got their visas two days early and were able to be there Sunday when Isaac died.

And another was being able to make contact with Dr. Wang who lives in Changchun, China.

“He ended up being kind of our hero of sorts because he was able to make contact with the hospital, and using his connections, get us the things that we needed, specifically some frank conversations with Isaac’s doctors,” she said.

“We are going to miss him,” Newton said. “His body was broken and sick, and he would not have had the quality of life that he would have wanted, and so that was a hard decision for my family.”

The family was able to say goodbye to Isaac. Adair, 2, was able to give her dad a kiss goodbye.

“We lost our mom in a car accident three years ago, so we understand what we are going to be dealing with over the next months and years as far as coming to grips with this loss,” Newton said, getting emotional. “But we also have great peace in knowing that it’s God’s will and we’re going to be OK.

"We're determined as a family that we're going to take good care of Candalyn and Adair and do whatever we can to help them and help her know that she had a loving, kind father who was a great man," Newton said, getting teary-eyed.

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Newton described Isaac Winder as the best stay-at-home dad anyone could ever imagine. He would play silly games with Adair and sing songs at night.

“He was one of the most humble, kind-hearted people I’ve ever known,” she said. “He was a great man.”

Candalyn and Adair will be coming home Wednesday. Funeral arrangements are being planned.

Email: vvo-duc@deseretnews.com

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