John Herbert Kiesling

Carterville - John Herbert Kiesling, 86, of Carterville, passed away Sunday, February 11, 2018, at Heartland Regional Medical Center in Marion, surrounded by his family.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, February 15, 2018, at Riggin-Pillatsch & Burke Funeral Home in Carterville, with Pastor Bob Morwell officiating. Burial will be held in North Oakwood Cemetery in Carterville with military honors by the 3^rd Battalion 23^rd Marine Regiment Inspector Instructor Staff, Herrin VFW and American Legion Post and Carterville American Legion Post. Visitation will begin at 5:00 p.m., Wednesday, February 14, 2018, at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church-Carterville Choir Fund, Gum Drops, or to the Veterans Honor Flight of Southern Illinois.

John was born on September 1, 1931, in Fenton, Missouri, to John Edward and Louise Ernestine (Frederick) Kiesling. He married Doris Mae Coffey on June 16, 1956, in Kirkwood, Missouri. Together they have shared 62 wonderful years.

He is survived by his wife, Doris Kiesling of Carterville; sons, Michael (Doris) Kiesling of Carterville, Mark (Debbie) Kiesling of Herrin and David (Robin) Kiesling of Topeka, Kansas; grandchildren, Megan Kiesling of Herrin, Meredith (Joe) Wild of Carterville, Emma (Bryan) Brown of Troy, Illinois, Jordan Kiesling of Carterville, Amanda Kiesling of West Frankfort, Madison, Cierra and Angel Kiesling, all of Herrin, and Davis Kiesling of Topeka, Kansas; great-granddaughters, Maggie and Isabel Wild; brother, Roger (Gail) Kiesling of Salem, Missouri; sister, Yvonne Page of Kirkwood, Missouri; several nieces and nephews; and a host of friends.

John was preceded in death by his parents; step-father, John Bodine; brother-in-law, Clyde Page; and nephew, Stephen Page.

He honorably served our country in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean War where he participated in surveying the 38^th parallel.

John retired in 1996, after 25 years of service as the Asphalt Supervisor for E.T. Simonds Construction Company.

He was a very active member of the First United Methodist Church in Carterville, where he served many roles. John will be remembered as one who knew no stranger. All who entered were greeted with a hand shake and a smile.

He was the charter member of the Carterville Rotary Club having been awarded one of the early Rotarians of the Year. John was a great asset to the rotary.

John served his community in countless aspects over the years. He volunteered as a Boy Scout leader for many years.  

He enjoyed being outdoors working in his yard. John was also an avid John A. Logan and SIUC Basketball fan.

John was known for his wit, charm and always present smile-a smile that radiated from his love of Jesus Christ. We know that it’s in His arms that John now rests. He will be dearly missed.  

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