Larry Kiestler

James Larry Kiestler, age 81, departed this life on Friday, March 8, 2024, at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital in Jackson, TN. A Celebration of Life Service for Mr. Kiestler will be held on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at Curve Baptist Church in Curve, TN. Visitation will start at 10:00 AM and the service will commence at 11:30 with Bro. Lynn King officiating. A meal and a time of fellowship will follow the Memorial Service. We cherish the memories we have of him and would love to give you the opportunity to share a memory of him as well during the service.

 

Larry was born on October 16, 1942, in Brownsville, TN to James Willison Kiestler and Bertha Gay Kiestler. He attended Curve Elementary School & graduated from Ripley High School in 1960. After graduating, he served his country faithfully in the United States Army and the Tennessee National Guard. He was self-employed doing paving for most of his life and he was a dedicated and devoted man to his work. His interests included steam shows, tractor pulls, locomotives, Nascar racing and playing the piano. He was a 32nd degree Mason and a member of the Al Chymia Shriners. He was a faithful member of Curve Baptist Church. He cherished his family and friends and he enjoyed telling jokes and drinking coffee with his buddies.

 

He is survived by his wife, Beth Kiestler, of Curve; his daughters, Sara Wallace (Matt) of Jackson, TN; Leslie Gann (Shaw) of Gallatin, TN; one stepdaughter, Natalie Hodge, of Curve; one stepson, Bryan Hodge, of Ripley, TN; seven grandchildren, Anna Jones (Malachi), Drake Wallace, Carly McGaha (Jeremy), Britton Craycraft (Andrew), Zac Rhodes (Autumn), Jaxson Goode, Grace Goode, and one great-grandchild, Sailer Rhodes.

 

He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Bertha Kiestler, and one brother, Danny Kiestler.

 

Memorials may be made to Shriner's Children's Hospital of St. Louis, Attn: Dianne Johnson, 4400 Clayton Ave. St. Louis, MO  63110 or Curve Baptist Church, 87 Curve-Woodville Rd.  Ripley, TN 38063.  All arrangements and services are under the direction of the Lea & Simmons Funeral Home in Brownsville, TN.