10/25/2016

Obituary for James O. Kishler

Co-founder of Brucker & Kishler Funeral Home

Services for James O. Kishler were held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, October 20 at St. Luke’s Church, 107 E. Broadway in Granville, with the Rev. Dr. Stephen H. Applegate officiating. Burial will follow at Lutheran Cemetery on Linnville Rd., with military honors by the Licking County Veterans Alliance. Jim passed away on Saturday, October 15 at home surrounded by his family.

He was born on August 12, 1927 in Tiffin, OH to Frederick and Lucille (Hill) Kishler. He was a 1945 graduate of Sandusky High School and a graduate of the Cleveland College of Mortuary Science.

Jim is survived by his loving wife of 30 years, Mary; sons David (Lynne) Kishler of Granville and Kurt (Julie) Kishler of Cincinnati; daughter Anna Garcia (Jorge) of Columbus; grandchildren Blake (Kelly) Kishler, Emily Kishler, Daniel Kishler, and Madeline and June Garcia; sister Jane Dietrich of Sandusky, OH; niece Holly Liles; and great niece Sarah Bickley. Also survived by brothers-in-laws Greg (Judy) Cole, Kelly Cole, Thom (Deborah) Cole and Scott (Sheree) Cole. In addition to his parents, Jim was preceded in death by brother-in-law Chuck Dietrich.

Jim was co-founder of Brucker & Kishler Funeral Home in 1951, and a modest but active community leader. Some examples of his service include long-time president of the Newark City Board of Education; member of the Licking County Joint Vocational School board; board member of Hospice of Central Ohio, where he also volunteered in retirement; and vestry member at St. Luke’s Church. He also enjoyed singing in the St. Luke’s choir and the Vintage Voices of Granville. A man of strong Christian faith, Jim also authored several books about his faith and beliefs.

Jim was most proud of his service in the U.S. Marine Corps in World War II, where he served in China as part of the operation to liberate the Chinese people from Japanese forces. He was past commandant of the Marine Corps League of Licking County and very active in the Licking County Veterans Alliance, doing funeral honor guard duty just two weeks before his death. Jim was honored as the Licking County Veterans Association Veteran of the Year in 2012, and was privileged to take an Honor Flight Columbus trip to Washington, D.C.

Friends may call from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, October 19 at Brucker & Kishler Funeral Home, 985 N. 21st St., Newark. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Jim’s memory to St. Luke’s Church or the Licking County Veterans Alliance, P.O. Box 854, Newark, OH 43058.