COLUMBUS
Richard Joseph Kiszka, 70, of Columbus, passed away at 6:05 a.m. on Tuesday, July 18, 2023, at Franciscan Health Hospital in Indianapolis.
A Mass of Christian burial will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, August 1, 2023, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in North Vernon. Rev. Jerry Byrd will officiate. Burial will be in St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery in North Vernon. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 with the recitation of the Rosary starting at 3:30 p.m. on Monday, July 31, 2023, at Sawyer-Pickett Funeral and Cremation Service.
Born on July 14, 1953, in Chicago, Illinois, Richard “Rick” was the loving son of Joseph Michael and Lucille Rae (Laurie) Kiszka. He was united in marriage to Patricia “Tricia” Sumpter on November 23, 1979 in Palatine, IL. She survives.
After graduating high school, Rick earned a bachelor’s degree at the University of Wisconsin-Stout in Industrial Education and a master’s degree in Education Administration at Roosevelt University. Rick was a high school teacher for several years before working at Motorola for 25 years and then at Continental as a Key Account Manager until retiring in 2019. He was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in North Vernon and attended St. Agnes in Nashville for over 20 years. Rick enjoyed many and diverse interests, hobbies, and talents including woodworking, photography, ham radio, cooking, baking bread, gardening, genealogy, music, art, hiking, traveling locally and abroad, dining out, and Italian coffee. He was a dual citizen of the United States and Italy. Rick loved his home and workshop in the country. After retirement, he enjoyed volunteering at Clarity Pregnancy Center in North Vernon. Most of all, Rick loved spending time with his family and friends.
In addition to his wife, Tricia Kiszka of Columbus, survivors include daughter, Caroline Ann (Joshua) Brosmer of Bargersville; son, Joseph Richard (Alicia) Kiszka of Dallas, TX; sister, Mary Jo (John) Snow of Onalaska, WI; grandchildren, Andrew Joseph and Allison Claire Kiszka.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Lucille Kiszka.
Memorials can be made through the funeral home to one of the following: Clarity Pregnancy Care Center of Jennings County, Catholic Community of Jennings County, or Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration.
Friends and family are invited to light a candle or leave a message of condolence in Rick’s memory at www.sawyerfuneralservice.com.
