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Northwest Indiana lost a friend and equitable voice of the people.  Long time staff writer and columnist for the Times, Mark Kiesling passed away Thursday afternoon.  The Times is reporting, Kiesling informed and amused the area for nearly three decades with solid reporting and incisive observations.  A friend who was with the journalist says 56-year old Kiesling suffered a seizure and was rushed to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead.  A Munster High School and I-U graduate, Kiesling won the state's best general columnist award from the Hoosier State Press Association in 2004 and 2008.  Times Executive Editor, William Nangle told the Region News team that Kiesling was "the voice of conscience for Northwest Indiana" adding, "he told it like it was, he didn't favor anybody, but he was always quick to point out those who did good for Northwest Indiana."  According to the article, the writer was regularly honored for feature writing, community service and investigative reporting.  Mr. Nangle adds, "in prior years he (Kiesling) would do things like stake out a 'chop shop' in order to determine that stolen cars were being taken there and dismantled.  He just always wanted to go after the real story and be first with it."  Keisling worked for newspapers in Lansing and South Chicago before being hired on as staff writing for the Times in the summer of 1985, according to the Times.  Mark Kiesling is survived by sons David and Nichloas.  A daughter, Abigail and a sister, Nancy.  Funeral arrangements are pending at this time.  Read about about Mark Kiesling's' life at:  http://www.nwitimes.com/

Mark Kiesling

(photo provided courtesy of the Times of Northwest Indiana)