John G. Kisling, age 84 of Beatrice, passed away in Alabama on August 2, 2025. He was born in Odell on April 6, 1941 to George and Marie (Beckman) Kisling. He attended a one room school house near Diller where his sisters were teachers. He was a graduate of Diller High School, Fairbury Junior College and attended seminary at Midland Lutheran College. On May 11, 1963 he was united in marriage to Twilla Smith. He was ordained in Diller in 1967. John preached in over 70 churches, most notably were the Immanuel (Stateline) Lutheran Church of Wymore and Zion Lutheran Church in Johnson. He was a licensed mental health practitioner, and several years, he was a social worker at BSDC, which he thoroughly loved. He was a tireless worker and servant of people, often working 2 to 3 jobs at a time. He was the past president of the Beatrice Senior Center where he helped secure a $350,000 grant to build the new building. He also helped with musicals at Southern High School in Wymore for many years. John enjoyed reading, singing, watching Westerns, camping, gardening, and was an avid history buff - especially history about his heritage, Germans from Russia.

John is survived by his wife, Twilla of Beatrice; daughter Sheila (Forrest) Cordry; grandchildren, Jennifer Koehler, Emilee (Josh) Crawford, Morgan (Mindy) Cordry, Anissa (Lee) Beethe, Landen Cordry, Zayden John George Cordry, and Erik Kisling Cox; step grandchildren, Angelyce Cordry, Paul Cordry, and Stacy Cordry; great grandchildren, Cameron Cordry, DeVaynee, JW & Callee Beethe, Gracelyn Crawford, and Pandora Cordry; 14 step great grandchildren and 5 step great great grandchildren; beloved dog, Doodle; sister Joreen Moerhing of Pennsylvania; sisters-in-law, Linda (Jim) Hansen and Darlene Luehring; numerous nieces and nephews; and a host of extended family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; son, John Charles Kisling; granddaughter, Hannah Grace Cordry; great grandson, Caleb Joshua Crawford; sisters, Delores (Richard) Luehring, Julianne Kisling, and Donna (Lyle) Schnuelle; brother, Roger (Joyce) Kisling; brother-in-law, Ted Moerhing; parents-in-law, Don and Joy Smith; and his beloved pony, King.

A memorial service will be held in the chapel at St. John Lutheran Church in Beatrice on August 31, 2025 at 1:30 pm. The family will greet relatives and friends at a visitation on August 30, 2025 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Griffiths-Hovendick Chapel in Beatrice. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the family for future designation.

We invite all those who know John to join us in commemorating his life. As we gather to remember him, we encourage you to share your favorite memories and upload photos of him on his memorial page at www.ghchapel.com. A special thank you to Amedisys Home Health and Sharee Arnold.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Griffiths-Hovendick Chapel in Beatrice.

Source: https://ghchapel.com/obituaries/john-kisling