"Gary Was a very sweet and very Godly man who always had a smile on his face and he treated every customer like family and my deepest heartfelt prayers go out to his family and friends during this very beyond difficult time "
In loving memory of
Gary P. Kissell
January 31, 1941 - March 8, 2023
GARY P. KISSELL
MUSCATINE, Iowa - Gary P. Kissell, 82, of Letts, passed away on Wednesday, March 8, 2023, after a brief illness.
A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, March 13, 2023, at the Ralph J. Wittich-Riley-Freers Funeral Home. Pastor Darryl Erickson will officiate. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Honorary pallbearers will be the grandchildren.
Visitation will be held from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 12, 2023, at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the family, in care of Johanna Kissell. Online condolences may be made at www.wittichfuneralhome.com.
Gary was born on January 31, 1941, in Columbus, Nebraska, the son of Paul E. and Eleanor J. (Frederick) Kissell. He married Johanna (Jo) Guetzlaff on August 12, 1967, in Minneapolis, MN.
A standout athlete, Gary graduated from Muscatine High School in 1959. He continued his athletic career at Muscatine Community College and Iowa Wesleyan University and also attained his teaching and coaching degree. Gary returned to Muscatine and began his teaching career at West Junior High. Later, he would move to the High School teaching 9th grade history and coaching football and basketball. He retired from teaching after 36 years. Upon retiring from teaching, he owned Kissell Sportcards in downtown Muscatine. He retired from that business in 2019.
Gary enjoyed listening to the Gaithers, sorting sportcards, fishing, and gardening, especially his gladiolus. He was an avid Chicago Cubs, Green Bay Packers, and Iowa Hawkeyes fan. Gary loved to talk about sports with anyone. He enjoyed watching his grandchildren participate in athletic events. Most importantly, he loved his family and God.
Gary will be deeply missed by his wife, Jo; three children, Jennifer Howell and her husband, Chris, of Muscatine, Paul Kissell and his wife, Melissa, of Wayland, IA, son, Luke Kissell and his wife, Julie, of Letts; seven grandchildren, Owen Howell, Halle Kissell, Drew Kissell, Ellah Kissell, McKenzie Kissell, Hannah Kissell, and Grace Kissell.
He is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Larry Kissell; and grandson, Mason Kissell.
Tributes
"i new him as Gary before I had to call him Mr. Kissell. He was a nice guy who played basketball at Lucas Street Park with us younger kids. Our mothers both worked at Grants Department Store downtown. He was my 7th grade basketball coach. Later in life I would stop by the card shop and talk sports with him. I share your loss of this great husband, father and Muskie."
"Mr. Kissell....Amazing Man, Teacher, Coach and I can only imagine what an incredible Husband, Father, Grandfather, Son and Brother he was. He taught me about History, Hoops and most of all life. Really Special Man Right Here...Well Done My Good and Faithful Servant, Enter into Rest....Love You Coach and Family...you are in our thoughts and prayers today and forever..."
"Mr. Kissell. That's what everyone knew him by. Very well respected man. He was my 9th grade coach at West Middle School. One of my favorite coaches and a great role model. Enjoyed learning from him. My sympathies to the family, R.I.P"
"Mr. Kiessell was my 9th-grade History teacher at West. He was the most handsome teacher I ever had. May his family feel God's comfort, and may memories help you at this difficult time. "
"Sorry to hear about Gary's passing. We were team mates on the MHS varsity basketball & track teams."
"I loved our downtown talks after his days of teaching, but his true spirit came through when my husband sold his Walter Payton card to buy me an engagement ring and upon learning this, my family bought it back as a wedding gift. He refused to mark it up and sold it back for the price he paid. Good man. No, great man. He will be missed. "
"Rest in peace Mr. Kissell. You were a great teacher and role model for your students. "
"I Loved talking sports with Coach Kissell. R.I.P. He was a great man."
"My sympathies to the family. He was my favorite teacher and coach from my West Junior High days. He was a great role model for all of his students and athletes."
"Our thoughts and prayers go out to you, Jo, and the entire family. Continued prayers and hugs...."
"He was my favorite teacher of all times. Knew him through Port City Coin Club too, years ago. He was always Mr. Kissel. "
"My sympathies to the family. My dad (Jerry Lorimor) enjoyed working with Coach. I enjoyed learning from him. "
"RIP Coach Bob Allbee "