Wilbur M. Kiser

Wilbur M. Kiser, 89, died peacefully on Monday, December 1, 2008 at his West Liberty, Ohio residence. Born September 24, 1919 in Logan County, he was the son of the late Eathel Adella Dysert and Marvin Weaver Kiser.  He spent his childhood years in West Liberty and Oregon, and attended Monroe High School.

On October 20, 1941 he married Gertrude Arvesta Pence Kiser in Covington, Kentucky and she preceded him in death on April 9, 2007. He also was preceded in death by an infant son, Phillip; sister, Marjorie Brown, brothers, Kenneth & George Kiser and daughter-in-law, Theresa Kiser.

He is survived by sons, John Kiser of West Liberty and Howard Kiser of Quincy, Ohio,; daughters, Imogene (Philip) Van Voorhis and Mary (Steven) Mortimer of Bellefontaine, Ohio; Annette (Charles) Van Voorhis of Marion, Ruth (Jack) Frazer of Urbana, Ohio; Phyllis Kiser and Ella (Daniel) Melendrez of West Liberty; sisters, Virginia Thompson of Quincy and Elizabeth Davis of Florida;   special friends, Jane Thompson of Palmyra, Maine and Kevin and Debbie Barthhauer of West Liberty; 10 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

A Sergeant in the U.S. Army, he served in World War II and drove the lead company half-track for the 13th Armored �Black Cat� Division, 59^th Infantry, Co. C., driving over 4,000 miles in Europe.  He received several medals including the Bronze Star, Expert Rifleman Medal and the Combat Infantry Badge.   He was very proud that he received the highest score in his company on the rifle range.

He was a minister at the Mt. Tabor Community Church in Champaign County from 1966 to 1983.  He also worked as a farmer, self-employed contractor, coal miner, truck driver, worked at the East Liberty Elevator and did small engine repair at the Blue Jacket Tree Service.

He was a dedicated Christian who loved sharing the gospel, telling stories of his childhood days in Oregon and his experience in World War II.  He had a wonderful sense of humor and loved spending time with his family, vegetable and flower gardening and reading.

He attended the McKees Creek Chapel and was a member of the Logan County Historical Society.

Rev. Floyd Lundy will conduct the funeral service at 10:00 AM, Thursday, December 4, 2008, at the Kauffman-Eichholtz Funeral Home in West Liberty, where calling hours are 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 on Wednesday, December 3.  Burial will be in the Spring Grove Cemetery in Champaign County with Military Services by the Logan County Honor Guard.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Universal Home Health Hospice 701 S. Main St. Bellefontaine, Ohio 43311 or to the McKees Creek Chapel, % Betty Wirick, 712 Road 30 West, West Liberty, Ohio 43357.    Condolences to the family may be expressed at eichholtz@embarqmail.com