Document text
0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Jackson County elected officials to get pay raises ... Making ancient stories new again ... Former firefighter accused of theft from District 3 faces charges in Virginia ... Jackson County elected officials to get pay raises ... Making ancient stories new again ... Former firefighter accused of theft from District 3 faces charges in Virginia ... William Carl Kiester Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Mar. 20, 2016 at 2:00 AM Posted Mar. 20, 2016 at 2:00 AM » Social News William “Bill” Kiester passed peacefully from this life to the next March 7, 2016, with his family by his side. He was 95 and one-half years old. He was born September 8, 1920, the first child of Herbert L. and Clara Gertrude Hershede Kiester in Chicago, Ill. He grew up in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. Always ambitious, Bill worked at many different jobs during his youth. In 1940 he was working at the General Electric Factory in Ft. Wayne. There he met his sweetheart, Rita Schaefer. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1942, serving as an aviation machinist. In 1944 he was caught in an engine fire and burned. While home on sick leave, he and Rita planned their wedding. They married July 15, 1944. Their marriage sustained them for 67 years, producing five children, Donna Wittkopp (Jim) of Grants Pass, Ore, Kraig Kiester (Nancy) of Shady Cove, Ore., Karen Kiester of Tucson, Ariz.; Myrna Wulff (Doug) of Jacksonville, Ore. and Lee Kiester (Tina) of Kelowna, B.C., Canada. After the war, Bill joined his father and brothers in the family plumbing business in Ft. Wayne, Ind. In 1953 Bill and Rita made their dreams come true by moving to sunny California where they had homes in Santa Ana and Costa Mesa. In California, Bill became a master plumber with the Local Union #582, training many apprentices in the trade which he enjoyed very much. Bill had many interests and hobbies. He was insatiably curious and always trying something new. He enjoyed trap and skeet shooting, square dancing, being a private pilot, playing bridge, building furniture, travel, white-water rafting, and attending concerts and plays. Bill was the biggest fan and supporter of the endeavors of his children and grandchildren. In 1994, the year of their 50th wedding anniversary, Bill and Rita moved to Central Point, Ore. to be nearer their family. They became active members of Shepherd of the Valley Catholic Church. In recent years, Bill used his vast construction knowledge, serving on the building committee for the new church Sanctuary. While in Oregon, Bill volunteered as a judge and mentor for High School Senior projects. When Alzheimer’s affected Rita, Bill cared for her devotedly. Rita passed away October 3, 2011. Following this, Bill moved to Twin Creeks, Central Point, Ore. making many new friends, embracing a happy and active lifestyle. Bill's last three months were spent at Assisted Living, Anna Maria, Medford, Ore. Bill is survived by his brother, Robert of Ft. Wayne, Ind.; his sister, Madeline of Round Lake, Ill.; his five children and their spouses; 13 grandchildren; Brian, Marla, Tony, Jeff, Karrie, Megan, Collyn, Crystal, Jon, Daniel, Trevor, Diana, and Connor; and seven great-grandchildren, Rita, James, Benjamin, Joshua, Micah, Ezra, and Luke. Bill was also very happy to know there is another great-grandchild expected this year. Bill was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Rita; his parents; his brothers, Donald and Ralph; and his sister, Betty. There will be a celebration of life with a Funeral Mass and luncheon, beginning at 11:00 a.m., Friday, April 15, 2016 at Shepherd of the Valley Catholic Church, 600 Beebe Rd., Central Point, Ore. Private interment will be at Eagle Point National Cemetery, Eagle Point, Ore. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Providence Hospice or St. Vincent de Paul, both of Medford, Ore. Arrangements by Litwiller-Simonsen Funeral Home, Ashland,Ore. www.litwillersimonsen.com MailTribune.com Writer Posted Mar. 20, 2016 at 2:00 AM You may leave your condolences or share memories by signing the Guest Book here » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501