L. Boyd Kisler Sr.

1924 - 2019

GALESBURG - L. Boyd Kisler Sr., 95, Galesburg, died at 6:55 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019, at Seminary Manor, Galesburg.

Boyd was born Feb. 8, 1924, in Eliza Township, Mercer County, 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 World War II, 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, Arizona, in the winter and Lake Warren, Monmouth, 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 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, South Carolina; 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, Eric (Kelley) Kisler of Abingdon, Morgan (Matt) Porter of Washington, Sean (Marta) Mooney of Des Moines, Iowa, Megan (Andy) Rowe of Galesburg, Brian Kisler of West Des Moines, Iowa, and Grant (Jan) Kisler of Colorado Springs, Colorado; and 11 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 Sept. 7, 2008; one son, Rob, on Aug. 28, 2008; and his five brothers, Dean, Roy, Clyde, Lyle and Dick.

Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 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, Oct. 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 Children's Research Hospital. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.watsonthomas.com.