Mark E. Kishego

Mark Enos Kishego has walked on to be with his ancestors of the Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians. He is the son of Enos and Claire Stanley Kishego, born in Kendallville Indiana on March 11, 1923. Graduating from Kendallville High School Class of 1941, he was Class President. He started Earlham College when World War II broke out as the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor.

He enlisted in the Army Air Force and became a pilot in multi engine aircraft. Kishego volunteered for the 4th Emergency Rescue Squadron and was transferred to that Squadron on Iwo Jima while the battle raged. 1st Lt Kishego participated in rescue operations under fire on Iwo Jima, off the island of Chi Chi Jima and off the coast of Japan. Awarded an Air Medal with Oak Leaf cluster, he also participated during the Surrender of Japan ceremonies. Mark Kishego is featured in the documentary film "Journey to Royal," about the 4th Emergency Rescue Squadron which is honored at the U. S. Air Force Academy, in Colorado Springs, CO.

Returning from War, he went back to Earlham and graduated with a BA in Economics in 1948, and married the Prom Queen of Richmond High School Class of 1941, Janice Lucille Benson, who proceeded him in death four years ago. They were married 64 years. Mark Kishego made a career selling industrial paper for numerous companies and retired in 1985. In retirement, he spent time traveling back to the Orient, attending Squadron reunions and collecting fine art. Mark Kishego was a Life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, a Member of the American Legion for 32 years, made a Kentucky Colonel and in the Earlham Athletic Hall of Fame for Cross Country track.

Mark Kishego lent his many talents, raising money for Earlham College and the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian. He joined the lithograph society at the Indianapolis Museum of Art where he was a member for forty years.

Survivors include son Mark E Kishego II, granddaughters Claire and Molly Kishego, niece Nancy Benson Cooper Waltz, niece Vera Olsen, grand niece and nephew Jade Mallot and Gordon Cooper.

Mark Enos Kishego is remembered as a funny, engaging and gracious man but most of all kind, humble and generous.

A celebration of Mark’s life will take place at 11:00 AM Friday, November 11, 2016 at First Friends Church, 3030 Kessler Blvd East Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46220.