Obit: Kissling, Harry (1904 - 1972)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon

E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Kissling, Rather, Meddaugh, Lee, Bentz, Kuechenmeister, Wiswedel, Hines, Hohmann, Sperling, Buddinger, Galbreath, Christian, Henning, Nall, Bender, Kingsbury, Grottke, Reinart, Kapfer, Schlinsog

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co, WI) 5/25/1972

Kissling, Harry (10 April 1904 - 17 May 1972)

Fire destroyed a 90-foot barn and milk house last week Wednesday afternoon on the Harry Kissling farm in the Town of Grant. There were four other buildings destroyed, a granary filled with oats, two corn cribs filled with cob corn and another building. Nine head of young stock, belonging to Kenneth Kingsburg who rented the farm, were in the barn.

Neighbors rushed to the scene and the Granton rural fire department was called but could save only the garage and house and a few other buildings. The fire was so hot it killed trees and grass and the back lawn is all brown and singed.

Mr. Kissling suffered a fatal heart attack at the time and was pronounced dead on arrival at Memorial Hospital.

Mrs. Kissling was at Memorial Home where she is one of the Gray Ladies. She was hospitalized from shock and was unable to attend the funeral service for Mr. Kissling on Saturday.

The service for Mr. Kissling was held at 1:30 p.m. from Zion American Lutheran Church in the Town of Grant. The Rev. Richard Eggen officiated. Burial was made in the Town of Grant Cemetery. The Georgas Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Kissling was the son of Theodore and Ida (Rather) Kissling, and was born April 10, 1904, in Harvard, Il. He came to Clark County at the age of four, attended area rural schools, and farmed here throughout his lifetime. His marriage to the former Alice Meddaugh took place June 16, 1926, in Neillsville. Mr. Kissling, who was a member of Zion American Lutheran Church, retired at the age of 62.

Survivors, in addition to his wife, include three children, Ernest Kissling of Granton, Mrs. E. L. (Donna) Lee of Green Bay and Michael Melvin of Spencer; two sisters, Mrs. Leo (Mollie) Bentz of Woodstock, Il, and Mrs. Eleanor Kuechenmeister of Granton; a brother, Theodore Kissling of Neillsville; and four grandchildren.

Pallbearers were: Kenneth Kingsbury, Herbert Grottke, Clarence Reinart, John Reinart, Bob Galbreath and Elmer Kapfer. “Abide With Me” and “Jesus Lover Of My Soul” were sung by the congregation and Miss Marjorie Schlinsog was the organist.

Red Cross “Gray Ladies” attended the services in a body.

Those from out-of-town who attended were: Dr. and Mrs. E. L. Lee of Green Bay; Mr. and Mrs. Max Wiswedel and Mr. and Mrs. Leo Bentz, Woodstock, Il; Duane Kissling, Mr. and Mrs. William Hines, Mrs. Lydia Meddaugh, Richard Meddaugh, Mr. and Mrs. Eddie Hohmann, Milwaukee; Mrs. Margaret Meddaugh and William Meddaugh, West Allis; Mr and Mrs. Harvey Meddaugh and Vernon Meddaugh, Bancroft; Mrs. Rachel Meddaugh, Plover; Lee Meddaugh, Iron Ridge; Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Sperling, Two Rivers; Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur Buddinger, Sycamore, Il; Mr. and Mrs. Bob Galbreath, Sharron; Mr. and Mrs. Burl Galbreath, Rockford, Il; Miss Suzanne Christian, Madison; Mr and Mrs. Robert Henning, Eau Claire; Mrs. Lorrin Nall and Mrs. Alfred Bender, Spencer and Mrs. Arthur Henning, Altoona.