Cletus M. Kiesel, 89, of Fort Branch, IN, Died, Thursday, May 12th, 2005 at The River Oaks Health Campus in Princeton, IN. (March 7, 1916 - May 12, 2005) 

He was one of 10 children, born to the late Maria Julianne (Naas) and Michael P. Kiesel. Cletus was preceded in death by his first wife of 45 years, Mary (McCloskey) Kiesel in 1985. He is also preceded in death by his brother Frank Kiesel in 1944, and sisters, Norma Keil in 1963 and Mary Madgalen Meyer in 2000.

Cletus is survived by his wife of 13 years, Pauline Blackard Kiesel; two sons and their wives. Thomas and Rebecca Kiesel of Fort Branch, IN and Robert and Linda Kiesel also of Fort Branch; three grandchildren, Mary-Margaret, Dixie, and Chet Kiesel all of Fort Branch, IN; three Brothers, Oscar and Elmer of Haubstadt, IN and Henry of Fort Branch, IN; three sisters Hilda Hasenour of Fort Branch, Alice Kiesel of Gentrtville, IN, Dorothy Knapp of Haubstadt, IN, a step daughter, Rita Speedy and family; step-son Allen Blackard and family; and many nieces and nephews.

Cletus was a member of the Holy Cross Catholic Church in Fort Branch, The St Peter and Paul Knights of Columbus-Council #2215 and the Fort Branch AARP. Cletus worked at Emge Meat Packing Co. for 12 years. He owned and operated a grocery store at the corner of McCreary and Walnut Streets in Ft. Branch. In 1956 he built a store and laundromat behind the original 3 buildings. It was known as the Ideal Market, and later known as Norman's finer Foods, and today as Holiday foods. In the later 1960's Cletus and Mary retired from the grocery business and purchased the Bramwell's Employment Agency in Evansville, and ran it for 16 years. In 1980, Cletus and Mary, Bob and Tom purchased Mary's furniture. Cletus assisted his son's there for 25 years. From the early 1990's, Cletus worked with his son Bob, delivering The Evansville Courier and Press newspapers until several months before his death. In the 1940's, Cletus and Mary were one of five major contributors which included: Alley & Catherine Meyer, Wilfred (Sonny) & Rose McCloskey, Lawerance (Mutt) & lee McCloskey, Leo & Catherine Wittman, that purchased the property where the Holy Cross Church, school, parking lot, and rectory are today. Cletus was a lifetime member of the St. Peter and Paul Knights of Columbus beginning when his father paid his first years dues at the age of 18. He also was a member of Holy Cross Holy Name Society until it dissolved. He was a charter member of the Fort Branch Kiwanis for over 50 years. He was treasurer of Union-Johnson Township Library Board for over 20 years. He was a volunteer fireman for the Fort Branch community for 20 years. Cletus enjoyed nature, the outdoors, was especially fond of deer. He began hunting when the state of Indiana allowed hunting of deer in the early 1950's, and never missed a year hunting.

A mass of Christian burial will be conducted at the Holy Cross Catholic Church in Fort Branch on Monday, May 16th, 2005 at 11:00 A.M. Father Tony Ernst will be the celebrant. Burial will take place in the church cemetery.

Friends may call for visitation on Sunday, May 15th 2005, from 2:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. at the Stodghill Funeral Home located on Hwy. 168 West in Fort Branch, IN, and again from 9:00 A.M. until 10:30 A.M. on Moday morning at the funeral home. A rosary will be recited by the church parish at 7:30 P.M. Sunday Evening.