Sean David Kistler, 57, of Galesburg, Illinois, died unexpectedly at home on Sunday, September 20, 2026.
Sean was born January 7, 1969, in Burbank, California, the son of Robert A. and Jeanette Y. (Brooks) Kistler. He graduated from Galesburg High School in 1987.
He married Kelli F. Webb on February 12, 2004, in Las Vegas, Nevada. She survives him, along with two sons, Jamie (Michelle) Kistler of Thailand and Alex Kistler of Iowa; one daughter, Marisa (Logan Davis) Miller of Galesburg; one grandson, Charlie, and a second grandchild on the way. Sean is also survived by two sisters, Amy Ferguson and Ellen (Josh) Aldus, both of Galesburg, and his stepfather, Steve Ferguson. He was preceded in death by his father, Robert A. Kistler, and his mother, Jeanette Ferguson.
Music was Sean’s lifelong passion from an early age. While grounded to his room for an entire summer with only a guitar to keep him company, he developed what would become a deep connection with the instrument. A beloved musician and guitar teacher, he won the title of “Galesburg’s Best Guitarist” in 1993 and was one of the few left-handed people who play guitar right-handed. He often performed solo with an acoustic guitar and kick drum, occasionally under the pseudonym The Bitter Man, and played in numerous bands over the years, including Sam’s Garage Band, Hizzyfit, Tie-Dye Cat, Bittersweet, Bitter Men, and Dry. He was the main songwriter for Dry and an accomplished songwriter overall; among his songs was “Babydoll,” written for Kelli. With Dry he released four CDs, including 14 Days and What’s Yours?. Their original songs received regular airplay on WLSR 92.7 The Laser. “14 Days” was in rotation starting in 1999 and continued for years, while “Are You In Love” also became a regular. Dry opened for acts including Cheap Trick, Great White, and Brian Howe of Bad Company, and performed at venues such as the Orpheum Theatre, including their 2000 New Year’s countdown performance there for The Laser.
Sean was an avid runner who loved relaxing in the pool and watching tennis. He had a lifelong love of cats (his most recent was Jagger) and took great pleasure in making people laugh by any means necessary. He delighted in posting memes on Facebook, often landing himself in Facebook jail. He will be long remembered as a man deeply devoted to his wife, Kelli; unapologetically standing up for what he believed; and rarely seen without either a cutoff shirt or a tie-dye shirt and bucket hat. He was a humble and kind man who always put others first. Sean would often joke that he was a legend in his own mind. He never knew he truly was one.
Cremation will be accorded. Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 30, 2026, at Watson Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory, Galesburg. No funeral services are planned. Memorial contributions may be made to a fund for a mural in Sean’s honor. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.watsonthomas.com.
