The Michigan poker community received sad news over the weekend that Kevin Oswald passed away on January 18 at the age of 51. His cause of death is unknown at this time.
Oswald only had one cash listed on his profile on The Hendon Mob, but it was a big one for $234,422. That came back in May 2024 when he topped a massive field of 2,717 entries to win the Mid-States Poker Tour (MSPT) Firekeepers $1,110 Main Event. The Michigan native was a part of a four-way deal that resulted in him winning the MSPT title.
“This feels awesome,” Oswald told the MSPT after his victory, “I’ve been coming here for the last three years every May, so this is just an amazing feeling to be able to win it.”
It may have been the first documented tournament cash for the heavy equipment operator, but he had played poker for decades.
“I work a full-time job but have gotten together with a group of people every Friday for the last 20 years, some of us for the last 25 years,” Oswald elaborated.
MSPT Season 15 Firekeepers Final Table
| Place | Player | Prize |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kevin Oswald | $234,422* |
| 2 | Brad Sailor | $234,422* |
| 3 | Steve Wangler | $234,422* |
| 4 | Anton Vucinaj | $234,422* |
| 5 | Rob Mitchell | $106,677 |
| 6 | Curtis Vierstraete | $84,288 |
| 7 | Daniel Schill | $66,113 |
| 8 | Buck Bucceri | $51,626 |
| 9 | Nick Davidson | $41,090 |
According to his obituary, Oswald was predeceased by: his parents, Richard Oswald and Beatrice Oswald (Tenbusch). He is survived by: his brothers, Larry Oswald (Vicki) and Gene Oswald; his nephew Eric Oswald (Ashley); and his nieces, Lacey Shea (Del) and Kayla Kinnee (Dan).
Visitation will be held on Saturday, January 25, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Hacker Funeral Parlors (1201 Sanilac Rd, Sandusky, MI 48471). A rosary will be held on Saturday, January 25 at 12:30 p.m. followed by a funeral Mass at 3:00 p.m. at the same location.
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