Donald "Don" Kissler

Hastings resident Donald L. “Don” Kissler, 77, passed away Friday, August 31, 2018, at University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE.

Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, September 6, at First Christian Church with Pastor Dustin Bower officiating. Burial will be in Parkview Cemetery, Hastings. Memorials may be given to First Christian Church, Hastings High Soccer Program, Hastings College Soccer Program, or Start Over Rover. Visitation will be Wednesday 9 A.M. – 7 P.M. with the family present from 5-7 p.m. at the funeral home, and one hour prior to the service at the church.

Don was born in Hastings, NE on June 1, 1941, to Gustav and Jessie (Baker) Kissler. He was raised in Hastings all of his life, graduating from Hastings High School in 1959 and from Hastings College in 1964 with an Accounting Degree. He began working for the J.M. McDonald Company as an accountant after graduating from Hastings College. He worked there 20 years when the company was closed due to the Wickes Corporation bankruptcy.

He also worked at Great Plains Chrysler-Plymouth, Great Plains Packing, Marshalltown Instruments, and the Hastings Tribune where he was Business Manager until he retired at the age of 76 at the end of December 2017. Don was a member of First Christian Church, having served as a Diaconate and Trustee, past Exalted Ruler, past Treasurer, and lifetime member of the Hastings Elks Lodge No. 159, and the Noon Lions’ Club. He was instrumental in getting soccer into the Hastings School System in 1990.

Don was an American Legion umpire at Duncan Field in Hastings for 35 years. He also umpired softball for many years as well as played on men’s and coed teams. Don has held Nebraska football tickets since 1966 when the North end zone was completed. He and Linda enjoyed going to the Husker baseball games the past few seasons.

He married Linda Eldred on October 26, 1968, at the First Christian Church. To this union, three sons were born: Donald Jr. (DJ), Shawn (stillborn), and Adam. His grandchildren were Kailey Jay-Kissler, Natalee Kissler, Logan Kissler, Alyssa Keslar, and Isaac Keslar.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, Gus & Jessie Baker; in-laws, R.D. (Bill) & Dorothy (Stephenson) Eldred, Sr.; and son, Shawn Michael.

Survivors include his wife, Linda; sons, DJ & Teena Kissler of Lincoln, NE, and Adam Kissler of Maryville, MO; brother & spouse, Wayne & Cindy (Robare) Kissler of Bloomington, IL; and sister, Pat Kissler of Gretna, NE. Don is also survived by his grandchildren, Kailey Jay-Kissler of Lincoln, Natalee and Logan Kissler of Country Club, MO, and Alyssa and Isaac Keslar of Lincoln, NE.