Leo V. Kiser Sr

Leo V. Kiser Sr., 87, a resident of Fond du Lac, passed away
with his loving wife at his side, on February 20, 2015, at the Fond du Lac
Lutheran Home.

He was born January 23, 1928 in Charleston, WV, a son of the
late Thomas V. and Alma F. Hamon Kiser.

On July 26, 1986, he married Maria Ruiz at Community Church,
Fond du Lac.

At age 17, Leo joined the U.S. Coast Guard and later the
Seabees.

Leo was a graduate of Tennessee Temple University,
Chattanooga TN, and later of Morris Harvey College, Charleston, WV, with a
major in Humanities.

Leo answered the call of his country on March 2,
1945 and joined the U. S. Coast Guard. He was not permitted to enlist in his
chosen service, the Navy, because he was considered to be underweight, so he
enlisted in the U. S. Coast Guard at the tender age of 17. He served in the Coast
Guard until his enlistment was up May 2, 1946; He later joined the U. S. Navy Seabees
and served as a petty officer.

He was called as a minister to serve a church in
Laurel, Kentucky and later returned to his home state of West Virginia and
served as a deacon and song leader at Bethany Baptist Church in Charleston, WV.

Leo returned to college to earn a degree from
Morris Harvey University in Charleston and began his teaching career. Looking
for a better career opportunity in teaching, he moved his family to Wisconsin
in 1967 and served as a teacher at Washington, Chegwin and Franklin schools for
the Fond du Lac School District until retiring in 1990. Soon after his retirement
he was employed by the Fond du Lac Aquatic Center and served the public until
he was no longer able.

He enjoyed singing and playing blue grass,
gospel and traditional country music.

Known for his ability to stay trim and fit, he
started a running program around 1967 and continued until his body and mind
(mostly his mind as a result of dementia) could no longer support his love for running. Leo ran
competitively until age 82. He enjoyed both swimming and running and spent his
retirement years with his running/swimming partner and wife, Maria. She was the
highlight of his life.

Survivors include his wife, Maria, six children, Leo V.
(Cynthia) Kiser Jr. of Fond du Lac, Kathleen Grace Ramos of San Antonio, TX,
James D. (Deborah) Kiser of Fond du Lac, Thomas A. (Linda) Kiser of Campbellsport,
Paul S. (Terry) Kiser of Brandon, John L. Kiser of Taycheedah, five
step-children, Juan L. Araiza of Chicago, Carmen (Javier) Font, of Cottage
Grove, Jose L. Araiza of Fond du Lac, Gabriel Araiza of Fond du Lac, and
Patricia Araiza of Kenosha, 12 grandchildren, 25
great-grandchildren, two step-grandchildren. He is further survived by a
sister, Bernice Taylor of St. Albans, WV, nieces, nephews, other relatives and
friends.

He was preceded in death by three brothers, Thomas, Eugene,
and Clifford.