Clarence Joseph Gissel

BELLINGHAM WA, - Clarence Joseph Gissel, 87, went home to be with our Lord Jesus Christ on Saturday, July 8, 2017 at Whatcom Hospice House in Bellingham, Washington. He was born July 4, 1930 in Racine to the late Mary Francis Gissel and Stevan Kikosicki. Clarence attended grade school at Saint Stanislaus Catholic School and graduated from Washington Park High School in 1949. After graduation, Clarence went to work at Western Publishing Co in the shipping and receiving department where he met his future bride, Alice. Clarence joined the U.S. Army on September 20, 1951 and was sent to Fort Sheridan, Illinois for basic training. Upon completion, he was stationed in Würzburg, Germany and served 16 months of service in the 701st Ordnance Battalion where he operated a mobile repair parts vehicle and repaired light artillery and small arms. He was transferred to the U.S. Army Reserve on August 29, 1953 and remained in service until his Honorable Discharge on October 1, 1959. On October 24, 1953, he was united in marriage to Alice Rose Krizan at St John Nepomuk Church. They were married for 32 years before she passed away on March 28, 1986. In 1964, after obtaining his Barber’s License, Clarence left Western Publishing Co and started a new career as a Barber. He joined the Varsity Barbershop on Villa Street as an apprentice and remained there until he became a Master Barber and then opened his own barber shop. During the 1970’s when long hair was in fashion, his business declined and he took a second job making prosthetics. In 1979, he moved his business from Spring Street to Lathrop Avenue where he owned and operated “The Rusty Razor” until his retirement in May of 2011. Upon retirement, Clarence moved to Mount Vernon, Washington to live with his daughter and son-in-law until his passing. Clarence was a member of the Knights of Columbus. He was involved with Boy Scout Troop 400 where he guided all four of his sons to the rank of Eagle Scout. As equipment director for the Racine Explorer Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps, he traveled the USA with his sons. He enjoyed tennis, softball, golf, working on cars, camping, hunting, fishing, playing cards. Everyone knew he was an avid Green Bay Packer fan. He is survived by his children: Donald Gissel of Atlanta Georgia, James (Melody) Gissel of Woodbury, Minnesota, Nancy Ann (Tobin) Findley of Ferndale, Washington, and Jeffery Gissel of Tomah. Grandchildren: Matthew (Rubylee) Findley of Ferndale, Washington; Stephen Findley of Bellingham, Washington; Bradley Gissel, Todd Gissel and Lauren Gissel of Atlanta, Georgia and Drew Gissel of Racine; Great-grandchildren: Hannah Findley and Ryan Findley of Ferndale, Washington. He also preceded in death by; his son Patrick Alan Gissel; sister Grizelda (nee: Gissel) Hoppe; brothers: Vincent Gissel, Herbert Gissell, Edward Gissel, and Eugene Gissel; Visitation will be held in the funeral home on Saturday, July 15, 2017 from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. followed by a celebration of life ceremony. Entombment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery in Caledonia. Online condolences at www.draeger-langendorf.com The family wishes to thank the staff at Whatcom Hospice House for its compassionate care of Clarence in his journey to be with our Lord. In leu of flowers, donations may be given to Whatcom Hospice Foundation, 2806 Douglas Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225 or online at https://11354.thankyou4caring.org/whatcom/whatcom_hospice. Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home 4600 County Line Road, Racine, WI 53403 262-552-9000