Kirt William Kistler

Kirt William Kistler Born July 31, 1924 in Elmira, NY, the son of Helene (Shulz) and Kirtsel Kistler, passed away peacefully on Friday, November 6, 2015 at Bethany Manor. "Bill" attended Hendy Avenue School, graduating from Elmira Free Academy in 1942. Bill worked at the family business, the C & K Laundry, in Elmira, where he spent his entire working life, except for time serving in the United States Navy during WW II. Bill served aboard the USS Intrepid from its launch in 1943 until he left the Navy at the end of the war. He worked aboard the ship in the laundry, as well as working with a gun during battles. Like many veterans of the war, Bill was greatly affected by his time aboard ship, watching many of his crew mates die during the battles and attacks by the enemy. He had nightmares for years afterward. As time passed and memory faded slightly, he was proud of his service and often said, "I thank God every day I am alive." Bill attended several reunions of the Intrepid crew members, often with his daughter Kris or son Steve. Bill was most recently honored as a "Plank Holder," an original crew member, at the Intrepid's 70th birthday reunion in 2013 aboard the ship, which is now a museum in NYC. After the war, Bill worked as a route salesman for the C & K Laundry. He almost always had a smile on his face, and to some became known as "Smiling Willy." Around 1960, he moved into the office of the family business, partly because his father, who suffered from severe rheumatoid arthritis, had to retire. He worked there until the business was sold out of the Kistler family after three generations. Bill spent a great deal of time at the family's cabins at Big Pond (Lake Ondawa) in Pennsylvania with his family, while growing up as well as with his wife and children. Bill married Nancy Jeane Freeman in 1952 and they had two children, Steve and Kris. Bill and Nancy celebrated 50 years of marriage in 2002. Nancy passed away in early 2008. Bill attended Rotary Club meetings, achieving perfect attendance for over 50 years. He served in several capacities with the Elmira Rotary Club, helping with many of their projects over the years and also became a Paul Harris Fellow. Bill worked with the Arctic League, the Salvation Army and Meals on Wheels, especially after he retired. He also attended events at the Clemens Center and local churches. He loved watching Pioneers baseball games at Dunn Field. He was a lifelong member of Elmira's Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, of which his grandfather Stephen Kistler was a founding member, Bill once sang in the choir, and served in various positions there as well. Bill had two special friends after Nancy died: Eudora Dunbar Bovier, now deceased, and Maryetta Voorhees. He greatly enjoyed the company of both ladies. Bill's parents and his only brother, Steve all predeceased him. Both of Bill's children, Steve and Kris, survive. The family would like to thank the entire Bethany Village staff for the wonderful care our dad received over the past one and a half years. The kindness and compassion shown to him touched our hearts. Family and friends are invited to call at the Olthof Funeral Home, Inc. 1050 Pennsylvania Ave. Elmira/Southport, NY on Saturday, November 21, 2015 from 2:00 to 5:00 PM. Funeral services honoring his life will follow the visitation at 5 PM. Reverend Krista Mendoza will officiate. Interment will take place on Monday, November 23rd in Woodlawn Cemetery 1200 Walnut St. Elmira. Memorials may be made to a cancer charity of your choice to help fight this disease, or to Meals on Wheels, 150 Fox Street Elmira, NY 14901, Elmira Rotary P. O. Box #941 Elmira, NY 14902 or the Arctic League, 249 West Clinton Street Elmira, NY 14901. Bill's guestbook maybe signed in obituaries at www.olthof.com