Kirby Bischel

Kirby Louis Bischel, 89, passed away peacefully in Mason, Ohio on Monday, December 30, 2024.

Born on a dairy farm in Bloomer, Wisconsin in 1935, Kirby was the third of four brothers born to Oscar and Ida (Dietsche) Bischel. His parents were absent for much of his life: his mother passed away when Kirby was 14, and his father died while Kirby was in college. Kirby also had two sisters, Audrey and Marcella, who both passed away shortly after their births in 1929 and 1930.

He attended a one-room public school near his family farm, followed by St. Paul’s Catholic School for junior high, and then Bloomer High School, where he excelled as a football running back and varsity basketball player for the Blackhawks. In addition to his athletic achievements, he graduated as Salutatorian. Jean Hable, also from Bloomer, attended the same high school, where they became friends.

After graduating, Kirby spent a year at college in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, where he made the football team, before transferring to the University of Wisconsin in Madison, where he earned a degree in electrical engineering.

Kirby married Jean in September of 1957, both being 22 years old. They lived in Madison while Kirby finished his degree. Upon graduation, they moved to Dallas, Texas and then onto Tripoli, Libya, working on oil exploration for Mobil Oil. 

For three weeks out of four, Kirby was living at a camp in the Sahara Desert with a crew of locals, lighting dynamite and recording seismograph readings. On his off week, he would spend his time back in Tripoli with Jean and their first-born child, Mark.

After two years, it was time to return home. They spent several weeks touring Europe, including picking up a new Volkswagen in Hannover, Germany, which was loaded aboard the Queen Mary - the ship that was to take them to New York. Always a gadget lover, Kirby had his Yashika camera in tow and took many pictures of their time abroad, and for years to come. The family has fond memories of watching slide shows of these early years. 

Returning to Texas, Kirby continued similar work for two more years and the family grew to three children with the addition of Beth and Anne. Desiring a change, Kirby took a job with Square D as an electrical equipment distributor, moving eight times for the company’s training program. 

The Bischels finally settled in Crown Point, Indiana in 1965 when they purchased a summer cottage with two acres, complete with apple trees, grapes and woods. Here the family grew to seven children with the addition of Patrick, Timothy, Carolyn and Jennifer. These busy years were focused on raising kids, adding on to the house, gardening with Jean, getting involved in politics, and acquiring a bay Welsh pony named Dynamite and a goat named Shorty.

Working in the industrialized area south of Chicago, Kirby worked with many of the steel mills as a sales engineer. A job promotion prompted a move to Edmond, Oklahoma in 1973 as Kirby continued his career with Square D. These are the years Kirby and Jean started focusing more on their Catholic faith and began attending the Latin Mass. 

After three years, the family moved to Highlandville, Missouri and Kirby eventually became manager of the Springfield Square D office. He and Jean purchased a farm on 40 acres, where Kirby spent his free time once again adding on to the house, bush hogging the fields, raising cattle and other various animals (including Dynamite, still with the family, and a half-Arabian mare acquired in Oklahoma named Lady). With the kids growing up, Kirby could be found attending basketball games and track meets, jump starting cars and growing his sales for Square D. He and Jean were also coordinators for a Latin Mass mission during these years. 

Upon retiring, Kirby and Jean moved to Georgetown, Kentucky to be closer to family living nearby. Both he and Jean loved this home, and as their children began to marry and grandchildren arrived, their lives slowed down somewhat. Kirby always returned to his farming roots and loved being outdoors. He continued raising cattle, gardening, building fences, feeding his llama Freckles, and getting healthy after heart surgery. They lived in Kentucky for 16 years. 

Finally, to be closer to his church, Kirby and Jean relocated to the Cincinnati area. Here, Kirby would attend Mass and Holy Hour frequently and help out at St. Gertrudes to which he was devoted. He could always be found after Mass eating a donut and welcoming newcomers in his typical friendly style. 

After losing Jean in July 2023. Kirby continued maintaining his home and gardens, reading and watching Reds baseball and Packer football. He lived very independently until the end of his life. 

Always a consistent and stable force in his family, Kirby cherished his seven children, along with his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. A devoted husband and father, he set a strong example as a Catholic gentleman, often leading his family in the rosary and offering guidance and mentorship to others. May he rest in peace. 

Kirby is survived by his children Mark (Annette Rusin) Bischel, Beth (Chester) Nelson, Anne (Thomas) Boylson, Pat (Thérèse de Gantès) Bischel, Tim (Gayle Peter) Bischel, Carolyn (Dean) McClorey and Jennifer (Scott) Richesson, 34 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren, and 5 additional great-grandchildren expected in 2025.

Kirby is preceded in death by his parents, his wife Jean, sisters Audrey and Marcella, brothers Laverne, Floyd and Roger, sisters-in-law Barbara, Marcy and Patricia, and granddaughter Monica Anne Bischel. 

Visitation will be Tuesday, January 7, 4-7 pm at Mueller Funeral Home, 6791 Tylersville Rd, Mason, OH. Rosary will be at 6 pm.

Funeral will be Wednesday, January 8 at 11:25 at St. Gertrude the Great Roman Catholic Church, 4900 Rialto Rd, West Chester, OH.

Burial to follow at St. John Catholic Cemetery, Brooks Lane, Harrison, OH. A formal escort will be provided and estimated drive time is 30 minutes. 

Luncheon following burial at Harrison Township Civic Center, 9940 New Haven Road, Harrison, OH.