Obituary: James Ronald ‘Red’ Cissell, 77, Bardstown

JAMES RONALD “RED” CISSELL

James Ronald “Red” Cissell, 77, of Bardstown, died Friday, Sept. 15, 2017, at VA Medical Center in Louisville. He was born Dec. 20, 1939, in Bardstown and graduated from St. Joe Prep in 1958. After graduation he worked for the Bardstown Post Office for two years. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1963 and served on the U.S.S. Enterprise off the coast of Japan and South America during the Vietnam Conflict. He retired from the old Bird and Son Vinyl in 2000. He was a member of St. Thomas Catholic Church, and an avid Cincinnati Reds and Kentucky Wildcats fan. He started listening to the Wildcats on the radio, while in grade school and never stopped.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Fea and Minnie Hicks Smith Cissell; four sisters, Bronia Mattingly, Lillian Bickett, Juanita Hagan, and Rita Delaney; and four brothers, Clyde Smith, Lyman Smith, Father Harold Smith, and Chuck Cissell.

He is survived by his wife of 17 years, Bonnie Thompson Cissell; one stepdaughter, Dana (Jim) Downs of Bardstown; one step-son, Gerald Dewayne Yates of Bardstown; six sisters, Louise Simpson of Cox’s Creek, Lunette Newton of Louisville, Theresa Ayers of Miami, Margie Collinsworth of Ohio, Joan Ball of Louisville, and Sister Marie Smith of Nazareth; three brothers, his twin, Donald (Norma) Cissell and John (Judy) Cissell, both of Bardstown, and Bobby (Bonnie) Smith of Illinois; eight grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

The Funeral Mass is 10 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2017, at St. Thomas Catholic Church with the Rev. Jason Harris officiating. Burial is in the church cemetery.

Visitation is 3-8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2017, and 8-9:15 a.m. Wednesday at Barlow Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may go to St. Thomas Catholic Church.

Barlow Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

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