Kenneth Kisselle, Member of Avon Lake Sports Hall of Fame

Kenneth Karl Kisselle Jr. 83, of Avon Lake formerly of Lakewood passed away peacefully Tuesday, Dec.  6, 2011 at the West Bay Care Center, Westlake.

He was born Oct. 1, 1928 in Lakewood, and had lived in Avon Lake the past 59 years.

Kisselle was a 1946 graduate of Bay Village High School. He graduated from Bowling Green State University where he was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity, earning a degree in business. He remained  an active alumni of the fraternity until his death.

After graduation Kisselle joined the United State Marine Corp, serving 1946 to 1948. He returned to Bowling Green for further education and then served two more years in the Marine Corp Reserves receiving an honorable discharge June 12, 1951.

He worked for GF Sindelar Company eventually becoming a partner and part owner with Jerry and Geoff Sindelar and his son Karl.

Active in Avon Lake, he was a member of the where he sang in the choir. He was also a member of the Mighty Goliath Players Community Theater and the Senior Shoremen.

For more than 30 years Kisselle was a member of the “Chain Gang" working the sidelines of Avon Lake football games. He was an active and proud supporter of Avon Lake Shoremen Athletics and the founder (and later inductee) of the Avon Lake Sports Hall of Fame.

He was also an avid Bowling Green and Cleveland Browns football fan. Kisselle enjoyed golf and even though he was no longer able to play he still continued to work as the secretary for the Monday Morning Golf League at

He was known to many as the "Jolly Old Elf," for his artistic ability painting Santa Claus, which he would display and sell at craft shows throughout the area.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Gladys W. (nee Brawner); children Karen Bell (James) of Houston, TX, Karl (Amy) of Avon Lake and Kent (Kim) of Chicago, IL. He is also survived by grandchildren Justin, Kyle, Tim (Corrine), Zac, Max, Kendall and Carly and great grandfather of Marley. Other survivors include sister Mabel Joecken and brother Tom Kisselle (Judy). He is preceded in death by his parents Kenneth Karl and Sue (nee Dennison) Kisselle Sr.

A memorial service will be held Monday, Dec. 12 at the Avon Lake United Church of Christ, 32801 Electric Blvd., Avon Lake at 2 p.m. The Rev. Dr. Kelly Brill of the Church will officiate.

Interment will be private in the church's scattering garden. Memorial Contributions may be forwarded to the American Diabetes Association, 4500 Rockside Rd., Suite 440, Independence, 44131.

Arrangements are by the , Avon Lake, 440-933-3202.