L. Boyd Kisler, Sr., 95, of Galesburg, died at 6:55 p.m. Saturday, October 5, 2019 at Seminary Manor, Galesburg.
Boyd was born February 8, 1924 in Eliza Twp, Mercer Co., Illinois, the son of Ralph Harry and Anna Hazel (Leahigh) Kisler. The family moved to Aledo when Boyd was 10. He graduated from Aledo High School. He married Dorothy Gwen McKeague on April 4, 1945 in Aledo. Shortly after their marriage they moved to Galesburg and Boyd began working at Golden Cream Dairy. After his brother Dean returned home from WWII he started Hi-Lo Grocery where eventually Boyd and the other four brothers joined the business.
Boyd and Dorothy were snow birds, living in Mesa, AZ in the winter and Lake Warren, Monmouth, IL in the summers. Avid Cubs fans, Boyd and Dorothy had spring season tickets for the Cubs in Arizona. He had a strong Catholic faith attending Christ the King Catholic Church in Mesa, AZ and Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Galesburg. Boyd and Dorothy had a passion for dancing, a hobby they enjoyed for many years together. He also enjoyed bowling and playing cribbage. Boyd will be remembered as a true gentleman who had a strong work ethic.
Boyd is survived by two sons, Larry (Betsy) Kisler of Cameron and Tom (LouAnn) Kisler of Summerville, SC; two daughters, Joan (Chuck) Semande of Knoxville and Jane (Mike) Mooney of Galesburg; and one sister, Kathryn (Glenn) Tracy of Galesburg. Boyd is also survived by his eight beloved grandchildren, Dawn (Tye) Carson of Dunlap, Scott (Sarah) Sutherland of Minneapolis, MN, Eric (Kelley) Kisler of Abingdon, Morgan (Matt) Porter of Washington, Sean (Marta) Mooney of Des Moines, IA, Megan (Andy) Rowe of Galesburg, Brian Kisler of West Des Moines, IA, and Grant (Jan) Kisler of Colorado Springs, CO; and eleven great grandchildren, Olivia and Gabrielle Carson, Owen and Mae Sutherland, Gabriella, Mallorie, and Jameson Kisler, Amelia, Nora, and Matthew Porter, and Alexander Rowe.
Boyd was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Dorothy on September 7, 2008; one son, Rob on August 28, 2008; and his five brothers, Dean, Roy, Clyde, Lyle, and Dick.
Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, October 9, 2019 at Watson Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory, Galesburg with the rosary being prayed at 7 p.m. Funeral Mass will be 10 a.m. Thursday, October 10, 2019 at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, Galesburg. Rev. Father William T. Miller will officiate. Burial will follow at Oak Lawn Memorial Gardens, Galesburg. Memorials may be made to St. Vincent DePaul Society or to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.watsonthomas.com.
