FRANK KISTLER, 80, longtime Udall businessman died Wednesday morning, July 29, 2009 at his home.

He was born on May 25, 1929 in Rock, Kansas and was the son of Homer and Margaret (Calvin) Kistler. He was the oldest son of seven children, so his parents depended on him to help support the family. He served in the U.S. Army from 1951 to 1953 and was in the Korean War.

After being discharged, he worked for Verle Walker until he went to Udall to start his own business in 1954. Frank was owner and operator of Kistler Service for 50 years until his retirement. Dedicated to his customers, he was open 365 days of the year during this time. Right after the Udall tornado in 1955, he managed to hook up to electricity across the street and put in milk and bread for the residents.

He was united in marriage to Jean Duensing on December 25, 1955.

Frank served at least two terms on the City Council. He was a member of the V.F.W. and the Udall United Methodist Church. His passion was baseball and he coached and managed the Udall City Team during the 1960's and early 1970's. His team won the Walnut Valley League nearly every year and went to the NBC Tournament in Wichita. He met many nice people and good athletes during this period. He has enjoyed watching his grandchildren play sports and was looking forward to watching more in the future. He was a bowler for around 50 years. His team bowled in Winfield until the alley shutdown and has since bowled in Arkansas City.

He is survived by:
His wife: Jean of Udall;
His 4 sons: Ken Kistler and wife, Brenda of Andover; Jack Kistler and wife, Teresa of Udall; Randy Kistler and wife, Denise of rural Winfield; and Gary Kistler and wife, Sherry of Udall;
His daughter: Merry Howard and husband, Bill of Wylie, TX;
His 17 grandchildren: Angie Kistler, Tisha Huggins, Tiffany Kistler, Jordan Kistler, Kayci and Mia Sperry, Tami Molloy, Amanda Rardin, Andy Kistler, Josie Lette, Skylor Kistler, Tylor Kistler, Ashton Kistler, Whitney Kistler, Hunter Kistler and Heath and Heather Howard;
His 15 great-grandchildren;
His 2 sisters: Faye Mann of Wichita; and Veda Floyd of Haysville; and
His 3 brothers: Roy Kistler of Udall; Lloyd Kistler of Wichita; and Rick Kistler of Towanda.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Beaulah Beard, and a grandson, Little Bill Howard.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, August 1, 2009 at 10:00 A.M. at the Udall High School Gym. Interment will follow at the Udall City Cemetery. Friends may call at Miles Funeral Service on Friday evening from 5:00 to 9:00. The family will greet visitors from 6 to 8 that evening.

A Memorial has been established for the Frank Kistler Sports Scholarship. Contributions may be made through Miles Funeral Service.