Frank A. Kiesa, 40 year Downers Grove resident, passed away Feb. 2 after a brief illness. He was 79 years old. Mr. Kiesa was born on June 4, 1921 in Syracuse, NY to Karl and Anna Kiesa. He attended Christian Brothers Academy in that city, graduating in 1939. In 1942 Mr. Kiesa enlisted in the Army Air Corps., where he was stationed in England with the 355th Fighter Group of the Eighth Air Force. After his wartime service, Mr. Kiesa pursued a career in radio broadcasting. As an on-air personality, he hosted programs on several Chicago-area stations. It was while working at one of those radio stations that he met his future wife, Lura Marie Engle. The two were married in 1953. Mr. Kiesa’s radio career with the spoken word changed course in 1960 when he received a B.S. Ed. degree from Northern Illinois University in Speech Pathology. That degree brought him the same year to Downers Grove Elementary School District 58 as a Speech Therapist. During his tenure Mr. Kiesa served as president of the local teachers’ association, and also on the board of the DuPage Credit Union. Although he retired from service with the school district in 1991, he continued to substitute for several years thereafter. Mr. Kiesa enjoyed the outdoors and took his family on camping trips throughout the United States. He and his wife were active in village government for many years. Mr. Kiesa is survived by his wife, Lura; three children, David, Lurann and Jonathan; his sister, Josephine; and grandchild, Steven. He is preceded by his parents; and his brothers, Edward, Stanley, William and Chester. Memorial visitation Thursday 4 until 7 p.m. with Memorial Service at 7 p.m., at Adams-Winterfield & Sullivan Funeral Home, 4343 Main St., Downers Grove. Interment private. 630-968-1000 .
