Bruce Langley Kiesling

1946 - 2025

Bruce Langley Kiesling

December 8, 1946 - July 11, 2025

BELLEVILLE - Bruce Langley Kiesling, age 78, passed away Friday, July 11, 2025, from Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease. Bruce was born on December 8, 1946 in Evanston, Illinois. He grew up in Warsaw, Indiana, and graduated from Warsaw High School in 1965. Bruce served in Vietnam in the Army Corps of Engineers. When he was discharged, he enrolled in Indiana University where he graduated with a BS degree in Business.

Bruce moved to Wisconsin and worked for CeCor in Verona. Later, he bought into Kelsch Machine Corporation in Paoli. Bruce served as part owner and president of Kelsch for 35 years. He loved his job and frequently mentioned his appreciation for all the people who worked there.

Bruce married his college sweetheart, Ricky, in June of 1976. They bought their "starter" home in Dayton, continually fixing and adding to it and their beautiful yard. They have lived there for 48 years. There they raised two children, Bruce Daniel and Erika.

Bruce enjoyed many activities throughout his years in Wisconsin. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge in Verona, serving as Grand Master. Bruce, a former Eagle Scout, became active in the Belleville Scouting program when his son, Dan, joined. Bruce served as scout leader, chaperoned several memorable high adventure trips, helped with fund raising, and later served on the Scout committee. He served on the advisory board for a local bank (then UBT) and appreciated the learning experience. After retiring, Bruce served on the advisory board for the Sugar River Senior Center. Bruce loved the outdoors and spent many hours mowing, splitting and stacking wood, and helping with tending the Exeter Park. He was happiest when he could help a friend. He loved music and he and Ricky traveled to many area blues festivals. Many of his travels also focused on music.

Bruce is survived by his wife, Ricky; daughter, Erika; grandchildren, Danielle and Quinn; brother, Charles (Lesa) Kiesling; brother-in-law, Chuck (Linda) Streitmatter; sister-in-law, Sue Abel; mother-in-law, Bernice Streitmatter; and many nephews, nieces, and grand-nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his son, Bruce Daniel Kiesling; parents, Kathryn and Ben Kiesling; father-in-law, Andrew Streitmatter; and siblings, Cyrus, Karen and Sim.

A gathering will be held from 4 to 7 p.m., on Thursday, July 24, 2025, at the Becker-Beal Funeral Home, 109 Greenway Cross, Belleville, Wis. Military honors will be accorded at 7 p.m. to conclude the gathering.

A Celebration of Life will follow at a later date.

Inurnment will be in the Streitmatter Cemetery, Princeville, Ill.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Sugar River Senior Center or the William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital in Madison.

Online condolences may be given at www.bealfuneralhomes.com.