George Howard Kisner

KISNER, SNOW

Posted By: June Brewer Welsch (email)
Date: 12/13/2008 at 16:28:46

Source Muscatine Iowa Journal Sat. Aug. 20, 1960
Policeman George Kisner
Takes Own Life Here Today
Police Officer George H. Kisner, 40, shot and, killed himself about 7:30 a.m. today in the kitchen of his home at 2520 Cedar street. Dr. Earl E. Peters, Muscatine,county coroner, announced
after an investigation that there would be no inquest. Kisner was discovered at his
home by a fellow police officer, Robert Opel, who found the body when, he looked through the
kitchen- door of the house, Opel returned to the police station and picked up Chief of Police Bud Flake and they returned to the house. The chief of police said Kisner shot himself
in the right side of the head. Beside the body was found the officer's .38 calibre pistol, One
shell had been fired. Flake notified the coroner,
Fellow officers had noticed Kisner had become quiet and despondent in recent, days
He was said to have been facing domestic and financial problems.
Flake reported Kisner had been an efficient and dependable member of the force.
Kisner had joined Opel and others for the 6 a. m, shift of the department. Shortly after 7 a. m.
Kisner requested Opel to take him to his home and call back for him, Opel left him and made a tour
into south Muscatine in the squad car. He later reported into-the station and when he learned that
Kisner had not called into the station he tried to telephone Kisner at his home. Getting no
answer, Opel said, he went to the home and sounded the horn on the squad car. Still getting no answer, Opel went, to the back door of the house. He said he saw Kisner lying on the kitchen
floor through the door window but did not enter the home until he returned later with the chief
of police. Authorities found two notes written by Kisner, one addressed to his parents and the other to his wife, Donna, Kisner was reported to have been living alone for several, weeks.
Officer Kisner joined the police department July 9, 1947. Police Chief Flake reported. He
resigned June 13, 1950, and rejoined Dec. 9, 1950,
He was born. Nov. 11, 1919 at Gladstone, Illinois, a son of George Kisner Sr., and Lucy Snow Kisner,
He married Josephine BIanchard a number of years ago. His second marriage was to Donna J. Bridge, Jan. 9, 1952 at Aledo, Illinois. He was-a member of the First Baptist church.
Surviving are his parents, wives; two sons and a daughter, James, Robert and Mary Jo,
Muscatine; two brothers., Robert of Davenport Wayne of Muscatine; and five sisters, Mrs.
Jesse Jarvis, Mrs. Charles LaRue and Mrs. Chester Van Horn of Muscatine, and Mrs. Madline Gibson
or Ladoga, Ind. and Mrs. LeRoy Carter. He was preceded in death by two sisters,and a brother.
services will be held at 1:30 p m. Monday at the Gerogc M. Wiltich Funeral Home, where
friends may call after 2 p.m. Sunday.

Source Muscatine Iowa Journal Aug. 22, 1960
G£OHGE H. K1SNER Funeral services for Muscatine police officer George H. Kisner,
40, were held at today at the George M, Wittich funeral home.
Rev.. Harry L. Parker, pastor of the First- Baptist church, officiated
at the services. Mrs. George Holliday provided vocal music,
Pallbearers were members of the police department headed by
Chief of Police Bernard Flake, Clifford Bennett, LaVaughn Richter,
Glenn Axel, Horst Lenz and Charles Fish.
Honorary bearers were Officers John Roelle, John Cottrel, Robert Opet, Wayne McDaniel,
Donald Young and Robert. Getz. Flower attendants were Mrs. Lee Thess, Mrs. Claude Webb
and Mrs. Pearl Erickson. Officer Kisner was in the army for two years during World War
1l. He served with the 616th field artillery battalion of the 10th mountain division in northern Italy. For service beyond the call of duty during the Po Valley and North Appennincs campaigns he was awarded the Bronze Star medal.