JAMES ROBERT "Tarz" KISSINGER

James Robert "Tarz" Kissinger, 74, of Columbia City, known by his neighbors as the "phony farmer," died at his residence at 2:40 p.m. Wednesday, September 12, 2012. He was born in Warsaw, IN, on May 25, 1938, the son of the late Claude Earl and Lois Eleanor (Hurd) Kissinger.

He spent his childhood in the Tri-Lakes area and lived his entire lifetime in Columbia City where he attended Columbia City High School. On May 10, 1958, he married Julie J. Quinn at St. Paul of the Cross Catholic Church, Columbia City.

He first was a well driller with G & K Well Drilling and then worked out of the Electrical Union Hall #305 for many years. In 1978, he became the owner and operator of Kissinger Electric, Columbia City. He was a member of St. Paul of the Cross Catholic Church of Columbia City.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Julie Jean Kissinger, Columbia City; 5 children, Joseph Robert (Amy) Kissinger, Markle; Jeffery James (David) Kissinger, Knoxville, TN; Jonathan Scott (Deanna) Kissinger, Columbia City; Jennifer Lou Garcia, Fort Wayne; and Julie Ann (Brent) Robinson, North Webster; 8 grandchildren; 3 sisters, Peggy L. (John) DeFeo, Hollister, MO; Maralee Martin, Fort Wayne; and Michele (Greg) Brockhaus, Columbia City. He was also an avid animal lover, especially his two dogs, Wilson and Rosie. He is preceded in death by his father, Claude Earl Kissinger who died in 1941, when Jim was 3 years old, and who was called up to play baseball for the New York Yankees Baseball Team one week after his death, and his mother, Lois Eleanor Hurd-Kissinger-Mossman who died in 2011.

Visitation will be held from 2-8:00 p.m. Friday, September 14,2012 at DeMoney-Grimes Countryside Park Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City. Funeral service will be held on Saturday, September 15, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. at the funeral home with Rick Stieglitz officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given in memory of Mr. Kissinger to the Whitley County Humane Society or Heartland Hospice. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.