Joe B. Cissell

BOSTON - Joe B. Cissell, 96, of Boston, passed away peacefully on April 13, 2025, at Baptist Health Hardin with his family by his side - flirting and giving the nurses a hard time right up until the end. He was 96, though he had everyone convinced he'd make it to 102 just out of pure stubbornness. His secret for a long life? Drinking room temperature Dr Pepper - as many a day as you wanted to.

Born in McCracken County to William and Agnes Cissell, Joe was the last of 13 siblings, the final piece of a generation. He lived a long life full of stories, service, and the occasional tall tale. At a young age, he fudged his age to enlist in the military and served proudly in World War II and the Korean War - a bold move, but if you knew Joe, you know that rules were more like "suggestions" to him.

He spent decades as a dedicated member of the Boston Volunteer Fire Department starting in 1989, often showing up before the trucks and probably telling the fire how to burn better. Around town, he was affectionately known as the "Mayor of Boston" - a title he fully embraced despite there being no such official position.

Joe was a lot of things - veteran, firefighter, animal whisperer, Westerns connoisseur, and master storyteller-but he was also a skilled carpenter, known for building everything from homes to heirlooms with his own two hands. In every nail he drove and every beam he set, he built not just structures, but memories. More than anything, he was a builder of families. He often said his greatest accomplishment was his family. He loved every one of them so much that, well, there ended up being quite a few. If you ever lost count, just wait five minutes and another one would show up calling him "Dad" or "Papaw."

His favorite pastimes included scratching lottery tickets with dramatic flair, rescuing every stray animal within a 10-mile radius (especially raccoons and cats), napping like it was an Olympic sport, arguing about politics for fun, riding back roads and stopping at every yard sale he saw, collecting clocks and rocks, dancing, and telling stories that may or may not have been 100% true - but they sure were entertaining. He also had a singing voice that could stop traffic - though not always for the reasons you'd think.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Sharon Cissell, who deserves a medal for keeping up with him all those years, along with his large and loving family who will keep his memory alive with laughter, love, and a fair amount of mischief.

Joe B. Cissell was one of a kind. The mold was broken, stomped on, and probably set on fire after he was made. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered as a man who loved big, laughed loud, and never passed up the chance to tell a good story - or start a new one.

He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings; his sons, Joseph Cissell Jr. and James Cissell; his granddaughter, Christy Hargan; and his son-in-law, Bill Hulen.

He leaves to mourn his passing his beloved children, Brian Cissell (Bridget) of Bardstown, Benny Cissell (Olivia) of Sellersburg, Indiana, Belinda Hartsell (Nick) of Boston, Brandon Cissell (Kayla) of Boston; Bonitta Cissell Milligan (Anthony) of Springfield; Joanne Hulen of Paducah, Denice Van Konel (Mike) of Arkansas, Deborah Cissell (Jim) of Arkansas; Timothy Cissell (Charolette) of Arkansas; and Roy Glenn Cissell of Arkansas.

He was a proud grandfather to Kelsey Dunn (Sean), Jonathan Cissell (Nicole), and Matthew Cissell (Jordan), children of Brian; Alexandria Haire (Nathan), Ambra Cissell (though "Ambra Cissell" was not her given name, it was the name he lovingly used for her), Ashlynn Clark (Bodie), Austin Cissell (Caroline), Elise Rainwater, Joslyn Rainwater, and Gwyneth Rainwater, children of Benny; Kurt, Emmett, and Mallorie Cissell, children of Brandon; Tony Cissell, Tracy Tubbs, and the late Christy Hargan, children of Joanne; Lee Cissell, Rebecca (mother of two daughters), and Jennifer, children of Timothy; and Lynn Reynolds (mother of four children) and Shannon Soresby (mother of two sons), children of Deborah. He is also survived by the children of his late son, Joseph Jr., Rhonda Cissell Rone (mother of two children), Joseph Cissell III (father of two daughters), Joe Tyler Hicks, and Joni Marie Cissell (mother of four children).

His legacy continues through many great-grandchildren, including Hallie and Eve Cissell, daughters of Matthew; Bentlee and Emilee Cissell, children of Jonathan; Parker, Hadley, B. Reid, and Murphie Kate Haire, children of Alexandria; Bella Dunn, daughter of Kelsey; Taylor and Bailey Cissell, children of Tony; Eli and Ellie, children of Tracy; and Olivia Hargan, daughter of Christy.

Arrangements: Visitation will be held from 2 to 8 p.m. Thursday, April 17, and again from 9 to 11 a.m. Friday, April 18, at Mt. Moriah Baptist Church in Boston. A funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. with burial to take place at New Salem Baptist Church Cemetery.

The pallbearers will be Brian Cissell, Matthew Cissell, Austin Cissell, Nick Hartsell, Kurt Cissell, Bodie Clark, and Dwayne Milligan.

Expressions of Sympathy may take the form of contributions to the Boston Volunteer Fire Department or Mt. Moriah Baptist Church.

To leave an online condolence and light a candle of remembrance please visit, trowbridgefh.com.

Trowbridge Funeral Home in Boston has been entrusted with the arrangements.