JAMES ROBERT "TARZ" KISSINGER

JAMES ROBERT "TARZ" KISSINGER, 74, of Columbia City, died on Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2012, 2:40 p.m., at his residence. He was known by his neighbors as the "phony farmer". Born May 25, 1938, in Warsaw, he was the son of the late Claude Earl and Lois Eleanor (Hurd) Kissinger. He spent his childhood in the Tri-Lakes area and lived his entire lifetime in Columbia City where he attended Columbia City High School. On May 10, 1958, he married Julie J. Quinn at St. Paul of the Cross Catholic Church, Columbia City. He first was a well driller with G & K Well Drilling and then worked out of the Electrical Union Hall 305 for many years. In 1978, he became the owner and operator of Kissinger Electric, Columbia City. He was a member of St. Paul of the Cross Catholic Church of Columbia City. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Julie Jean Kissinger of Columbia City; five children, Joseph Robert (Amy) Kissinger of Markle, Jeffery James (David) Kissinger of Knoxville, Tenn., Jonathan Scott (Deanna) Kissinger of Columbia City, Jennifer Lou Garcia, Fort Wayne, and Julie Ann (Brent) Robinson of North Webster; eight grandchildren; three sisters, Peggy L. (John) DeFeo of Hollister, Mo., Maralee Martin of Fort Wayne, and Michele (Greg) Brockhaus of Columbia City. He was also an avid animal lover, especially his two dogs, Wilson and Rosie. He was preceded in death by his father, Claude Earl Kissinger, in 1941 when Jim was 3 years old, and who was called up to play baseball for the New York Yankees Baseball Team one week after his death; and his mother, Lois Eleanor Hurd-Kissinger-Mossman, died in 2011. Funeral service is 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012, at DeMoney-Grimes Countryside Park Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City. Rick Stieglitz officiating. Visitation is from 2 to 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 14, 2012, at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given in memory of Mr. Kissinger to the Whitley County Humane Society or Heartland Hospice. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. To send family condolences, please visit www.demoneygrimes.com