James M. Kisner Jr.
James M. Kisner Jr. of Evansville, Ind., passed away on June 26, 2008 — too young at 61 years of age.
James was born on March 26, 1947, in Evansville, Ind. He grew up in Evansville and attended Bosse High School. At Bosse, James distinguished himself by winning a national writing contest. In 1965, James moved to Bloomington, Ind., to attend Indiana University, where he would earn an undergraduate degree and also a Master of Arts degree in English. At Bloomington, James met his first wife and mother of his children, Carole Kleckner. They were married in Bloomington in 1969. In the spring of 1977, James became the proud father of a set of boy-girl twins, James the III and Jayne Marie. James would later return to his roots in Evansville, Ind., in 1999. He met his second wife, Phyllis, working as a security guard at the Whirpool plant in Evansville.
In the early years of his career, James held various positions as a creative and account executive at advertising agencies in Evansville and Indianapolis. However, he began writing part time as an ad man and eventually left the profession to dedicate himself to writing full time. In 1981, James became a published novelist for the first time with his mystery novel, Nero's Vice. He would quickly follow up in 1982 with another thriller called Slice of Life.
One of his most widely acclaimed short stories (and perhaps his first published foray into the horror genre), The Litter (1987), appeared in the anthology Masques II. The collection also featured short stories by well-known masters of horror Stephen King, Richard Matheson and Richard Bloch. His third book, Strands (1988), began a series of novels in the horror genre that would not end until his last book. Throughout his writing career, James published 11 novels under his own name as well as pseudonyms including Martin James and Eric Flanders. His final novel, Tower of Evil, was published in 1994, and was an homage to time he spent working as a security guard watching over the Indiana National Bank tower in downtown Indianapolis, Ind.
James was preceded in death by his mother, Norma. He is survived by his son, James M. Kisner III; his daughter, Jayne Kendall, M.D.; his brother, Dan; his father, James Sr.; his half brothers, John and Ronald; and his twin grandchildren, Jackson and Claire Kendall.
Memorial services for James and his wife, Phyllis, will be held at 3 p.m. Monday, June 30th, 2008 at Browning Funeral Home, 738 Diamond Ave. with Rev. Steve Clayton officiating. Visitation will be held at Browning Funeral Home from noon to 3 p.m. on Monday, June 30th, 2008. Memorial contributions may be made to the James Kisner family.
June 29, 2008
To Jim and his family, we cannot express our great sadness for your loss. We will keep you and your family in our thoughts.
JT and Jen Fries (Bloomington)
June 29, 2008
This is so sad but I know in my heart God never ever makes mistakes. I didn’t know this man but I will keep his family lifted in prayer.
J Williams
June 30, 2008
I was fortunate enough to have published an original story by Jim years ago online called "Puffers" which was terrific, and exchanged emails with him throughout the years since. What a sweet and wonderful and incredibly talented man. He will be dearly missed. Rest in peace James and Phyllis.
Matt Schwartz (Jersey City, NJ)
June 30, 2008
Jim was in several anthologies with me, and I'd met him at a few conventions--he'd always stuck me as a quiet, gentle person with a quick mind and wit. I am so sorry to hear of this tragic event.
Tom Monteleone (Baltimore, MD)
July 1, 2008
Jim and I were good friends in high school. I was Kate to his Petruchio in drama class. We were also pictured in the Bosse yearbook together. He was funny, and shy, and oh-so-smart. I talked to him on the phone once when he was living in Indy and I was there for a conference. He was so proud of his babies! When Nero's Vice was first published, my husband surprised me with a copy. I always thought I'd track down Jim and have him autograph it. I wish I had done that....
Vella Goebel
July 1, 2008
I worked with Jim in theater at Bosse HS. We both started IU in 1965 and stayed in touch for a few years. One hot summer evening we drank some Southern Comfort and listened to the new Magical Mystery Tour album. I still have some of the paperback novels of great American literature he had consumed and recycled to me. I had hoped to spend another summer evening with him -- with his modest and very dry wit. It will now be in spirit.
Roger Wilson (Glenwood Springs, CO)
July 2, 2008
So long, James, You were a good writer and a good friend. I'll miss you.
Mort Castle (Crete, IL)
July 7, 2008
I met Jim Kisner (and later Carole) through Jerry Williamson, and enjoyed many wonderful conversations with them both about the maddening, wondrous craft of writing. Besides being fortunate enough to appear in Masques II with him, my fondest memory is of the night he and Carole joined Jerry and Mary Williamson and my wife Jan and I for dinner with Ray Bradbury. What an extraordinary evening. It is sad to think we can never share another one like it. God bless you.
Dennis Hamilton (Indianapolis, IN)
