KESLER, Lula Hatcher, 81, of Salem, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, November 5, 1995. She was the widow of Robert H. Kesler and was a longtime member of the Central United Methodist Church. She had worked at Tarpley's in Salem. Her survivors include her sisters, Virginia Jones, Blue Ridge, Marie Steele, Richmond; brothers and sisters-in-law; a host of nieces and nephews; many friends and neighbors. A graveside service will be held at the Sherwood Memorial Park on Tuesday, November 7 at 12 noon with the Rev. Dr. William A. Davis Jr. officiating. Arrangements by John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home, Salem. - Roanoke Times, The (VA)
Betty Kesler Crump, wonderful mother, aunt, sister, and friend, died in the loving arms of her three children Nov. 21, 1995, at the age of 72. She was a remarkable person of great determination, intelligence and accomplishment. She devoted her life to her children and they will never forget her sacrifices and love for them. She was deeply loved and always will be.
Betty was born February 22, 1923 to Ambrose B. and Jana Enholm Kesler. She had two brothers, Orson (Helen) and Fred (Arlene), and one sister, Melba (Jimmy) Black. She graduated from South High School in 1940 and attended the University of Utah. She was a beautiful young woman. She was married to Woodrow Stevens Crump from 1941 until 1979. They had three children, Steven Kesler (Kay), Janet Ann (Buzz Hunt), and Kevin Ray (Nancy), and nine grandchildren: Rebecca, Janet, David, Laura, Katie, Elisabeth, William, Michael and Matthew.
Betty had a special relationship with her mother-in-law, Julia Stevens Crump; they loved and admired one another very much. Betty also was very close to her in-laws, Evelyn and Leonard Beckstead, Janice and David Madsen, and Wayne and Gloria Crump; Betty's nieces and nephews were very important to her and they shared many wonderful times as cousins on family outings as they were growing up. Special niece, Judy Jenkins, was a constant source of support.
Betty was a devout member of the LDS Church, serving in many leadership callings including Primary, Relief Society, and the Stake Young Women's presidency. She served diligently in all these callings and left a lasting impact as a result of her creativity, hard work, and standards of excellence.
She was a talented executive secretary and received many promotions before ill health prematurely ended her professional career and employment at Kennecott.
Betty had many struggles in her later life, but her devotion to her children never wavered and she will always be an inspiration to them. Mom, we will always remember the joy in life you created for us-the picnics, the sleigh rides with hot chocolate, the home movies (those bar lights!), the holidays, the songs and games in the car on family trips, the long nights helping us with science projects and making pompoms for pep club, the positive energy you brought to our lives, and your wonderful sense of humor.
A private funeral and graveside service is scheduled for November 24. She will be buried at the Bluffdale City Cemetery with loved ones.
We will miss you, Mom; we will love and honor you forever. - Deseret News, The (Salt Lake City, UT)
HELEN KESLER
FAIRVIEW -- Helen Kesler, 81, of Sunset Manor Nursing Home in Canton for the past five years, formerly of Fairview, died at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 30, 1995, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria. She was born July 18, 1914, in Farmington to Fred and Grace Gentle Kesler. Surviving are one sister, Mrs. Gerald (Jane) Pritchard of Canton; two brothers, Edward and Ernest Kesler, both of Portland, Ore.; and two nieces and one nephew. She was a member of Coal Creek Bible Church near Fairview. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Monday at Oak Ridge Cemetery in Farmington. The Rev. Rodney Ruberg will officiate. Visitation will be one hour before services at Anderson Funeral Home in Farmington. - Peoria Journal Star, The (IL)
KESLER, Gene William, 55 of Jacksonville, Fla. passed away Wednesday, January 10, 1996. He was born in Roanoke, Va. and had resided in Jacksonville for 14 years. Mr. Kesler was employed at the Acorn Division of TTX Corp. at the time of his death. He is survived by his wife of 13 years Linda S. Kesler of Jacksonville; mother Mrs. Ruby Musgrove, Roanoke, Va. Funeral services will be held 4:00 p.m. Sunday, January 14, 1996 in the chapel of Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home, 729 S. Edgewood Ave. with Rev. Tim McDaniel officiating. Memorialization will be by cremation. The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Saturday (tonight) at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society. - Roanoke Times, The (VA)
KESLER, Raymond William, Jr., 48, of Roanoke, died Wednesday, February 21, 1996, at the UVA Hospital, Charlottesville. He was employed at HSN Fulfillment Center, and was preceded in death by his father, Raymond Walker Kesler Sr. He is survived by one son, Scott D. Kesler, Lynchburg; his mother, Ora Jean Kesler, Salem; three brothers and sisters-in-law, Ronnie D. Kesler, Salem, Donnie L. and Lynn Kesler, Roanoke, and Jimmy and Brenda Austin, Troutville; a sister and brother-in-law, Sue and Skip Shelor, Salem; four special nieces and one nephew. Graveside services will be held Friday, February 23, at 12 noon, at the Old Dominion Memorial Gardens, with the Rev. Mike Derfilinger officiating. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the Lotz Salem Chapel. - Roanoke Times, The (VA)
April 13, 1996
Rita Kesler, 64, of 97 Brookside Drive died Thursday at the home of her daughter in Cicero after a brief illness. Mrs. Kesler was a native of Burke. She retired as a nurse in 1987 after 25 years with Rome Memorial Hospital. She was a graduate of Franklin Academy, Malone, and Good Samaritan School of Nursing, Watertown. Her husband, Robert L., died in 1978.
Mrs. Kesler was a member of the New York State Nurses Association and the auxiliary of Rome Post, American Legion.
Surviving are two daughters, Mary Beth Albert of Cicero and Donna Pearce of Rochester; a son, Richard of Lee Center; three sisters, Frances Bullard of Flushing, Helen O'Donoghue of Huntington and Gertrude Barnes of Brasher Falls; five brothers, William Brand of Starke, Fla., Dwight Brand of Burke, Warren Brand of Malone, Alton Brand of Burnt Hills and Robert Brand of New Port News, Va.; two granddaughters; and several nieces and nephews.
Services will be at 9:15 a.m. Monday at Princ-Boyd and Hyatt Home for Funerals and 10 a.m. in St. Peter's Church, both in Rome. Burial will be in Constable.
Calling hours will be 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home, 210 W. Court St.
Contributions may be made to the Nursing Education Department of Rome Memorial Hospital. -
Post-Standard, The (Syracuse, NY)
KESLER, Dorothy Crawford, 86, of Roanoke, living at Friendship Manor, died Saturday, June 1, 1996. Mrs. Kesler was a retired secretary from Adams Construction Company, and was preceded in death by her husband, John B. Kesler, and a son, James G. Kesler. Surviving are her son and daughter-in -law, John William ("Bill") and Nancy Meyer Kesler of Charlotte, N.C.; her grandchildren, Leslie Michelle Kesler of Raleigh, N.C., Monica Kesler Phillips of Charlotte, N.C., and John Charles Kesler of Greenville, N.C., and her nieces, Dorothy Murden Dickens and June Murden Blick of Wilmington, N.C. Funeral services will be held at Oakey's North Chapel at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 5, with the Rev. William B. Ramey Jr. of Raleigh Court United Methodist Church officiating. Interment will follow in Evergreen Burial Park. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 p.m. Tuesday at Oakey's North Chapel. - Roanoke Times, The (VA)
KESLER, Nelle Mae Hutsell was born April 1, 1900 in Meigs County, Tn. and came to Oklahoma City in 1911. She died Monday, July 8, 1996. Nelle loved her country, her church, her family and her friends. She outlived her parents, her eight brothers and sisters, and her husband, Frank Kesler, and she spent her last years in poor health, but her spirit was storng and she leaves us with many happy memories.
Members of her family are her three daughters, Mrs. Betty Pederson, Oklahoma City, Mrs. Ruth Berrier and husband Gene, Fort Worth, Tx., Mrs. Fran Shumate and husband, James, Bethany; seven grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
We express deep appreciation to Bellevue Nursing Center, Hospice Care of Oklahoma, and her friends at Village United Methodist Church for their care in recent years.
Graveside services will be conducted by the Rev. Chuck Dollarhide, July 10, 1996, at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, at Memorial Park Cemetery. - Daily Oklahoman, The (Oklahoma City, OK)
KESLER, Sarah Thomas, 76, of Ashland, wife of the Rev. R. Harris Kesler, died Saturday, August 31, 1996. Mrs. Kesler was a native of Oxford, N.C., and was the daughter of the late Dr. William Nelson Thomas and Estelle Bullock Thomas. She was educated in the public schools of Oxford and attended the Marjorie Webster School in Washington, D.C. She was a graduate of Greensboro College in Greensboro, N.C. She was married to Dr. Kesler on September 10, 1946. After a stay in New York while her husband was in graduate school, she and Dr. Kesler returned to Virginia where he was a clergy member of the Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church. In each of the communities where she lived, Mrs. Kesler was actively involved in the religious, civic and social life of the area. Dr. Kesler's appointments took them to the following churches and communities in Virginia: the McKenney Charge in McKenney, Main Street Church in Emporia, Duncan Memorial in Ashland, Main Street Church in Suffolk, Asbury Church in Harrisonburg, Epworth Church in Norfolk, Main Street Church in Waynesboro and First Church in Salem. In 1984, Dr. Kesler retired, and he and Mrs. Kesler moved to Ashland to a home they had purchased there. At the time of her death, Mrs. Kesler was a member of Duncan Memorial United Methodist Church and the United Methodist Women, the Woman's Club of Ashland, the Ashland Garden Club, the Hanover Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, the Scotchtown Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Jamestowne Society. She and her husband were vitally interested in Randolph-Macon College and were active in many of its affairs. In addition to her husband, Mrs. Kesler is survived by five nieces, Sallie Thomas Carmichael of Gainesville, Ga., Douglas Thomas Odom of Chapel Hill, N.C., Mary Thomas Firestone of Lafayette, Ind., Sandra Kesler Walker of Virginia Beach and Barbara Kesler Dudley of Arvada, Colo.; her sister-in-law, Rachel Poe Thomas of Oxford, N.C.; an aunt, Mrs. Charles Goff of Virginia Beach; several great-nieces and great-nephews, and a number of cousins. A memorial service will be held at Duncan Memorial United Methodist Church, Ashland, at 2 p.m. Monday, September 2, 1996. The family suggests that memorials take the form of gifts to Randolph-Macon College or a charity of choice. Interment of ashes will be in Elmwood Cemetery, Oxford, N.C. The family will receive friends at the Kesler home in Ashland. The Reid Funeral Home in Ashland is in charge of arrangements. - Roanoke Times, The (VA)
Dene Joseph Kesler passed away peacefully at his home on Sept. 25, 1996 after a courageous battle with cancer. Dene was born on March 22, 1941 in Salt Lake City. He served in the British Mission from 1961 to 1963. Upon his return home he earned a degree in Civil Engineering and later an MBA from the University of Utah. Dene married Mary Lynn Clifford on June 12, 1967 in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. He served in many capacities in the LDS Church including the High Council and Bishopric. He enjoyed all of his church service but especially enjoyed the many years he served as the Elder's Quorum President and also time spent in service with the Young Men and Primary organizations. He was an expert snow and water skier, and enjoyed river running. His family has many fond memories of boating and water ski excursions on the lakes around the Salt Lake Valley and Lake Powell. Dene was a successful business owner, most recently in the lighting industry. He possessed a good sense of humor, a kind heart and was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He is survived by his wife, Mary Lynn; his parents, Mack and Lavina Kesler; his brother, Grant (Jeanne); his five children, Dena (Von) Etcher; Jason (Julie); Jack (Alicia); Margaret; and J.D.; and his six grandchildren, Michelle Margaret, Taylor Dene, Kadi Lynn, Derrick, Danielle, and Jade. Dene is preceded in death by two brothers, Lee and Gordon. The family would like to express their thanks and appreciation to Dr. Linda Leckman, Dr. Patricia Legant and her staff, and to his home health nurse, Kim Goett. Funeral services will be held Monday, September 30, 1996, 11 a.m. at the Crescent South Stake Center, 251 East 10600 South, Sandy. Friends and family may call Sunday from 6-8 p.m. at Goff Mortuary, 8090 South State, and Monday from 9:45-10:45 a.m. at the Stake Center. Interment, Salt Lake City Cemetery. - Deseret News, The (Salt Lake City, UT)
Mildred Kesler
MUNROE FALLS -- Mildred Kesler, 64, passed away at home on Sunday, April 13, 1997.
Born in Tuscumbia, Ala., she had lived in Munroe Falls 37 years and retired from the Stow School System with 19 years service. She was a member of Chapel of Prayer Baptist Church, Stow Silver Lake BPW and Stow Historical Society.
Preceded in death by her parents, one sister, and one brother, she is survived by her husband of 44 years, William G.; daughter and son-in-law, Glynis and Terry Deford; grandchildren, Brandon and Nicole of Columbus; sisters, Flora O'Neal, Shirley Moore, and Gertrude Boyles, all of Alabama; brothers, Houston Rickard of Georgia and Raymond Rickard of Alabama; many nieces, nephews, other relative and friends.
Friends may call Tuesday 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Redmon Funeral Home where Rev. Sherman Bailey will conduct services 11 a.m. Wednesday. Burial Northlawn Cemetery. Should friends desire, memorials may be made to Chapel of Prayer Baptist Church, 1811 Brittain Rd., Akron, 44310 or Hospice of VNS, 1200 McCarthur Dr., Akron 44320.(Redmon, Stow, 688-6631) -
Akron Beacon Journal (OH)
KESLER, Ruth Grisso, 87, of Moneta, formerly of Canterbury Park, Roanoke County, died Wednesday, April 16, 1997 at Lewis-Gale Hospital. She was preceded in death by her husband, James T. Kesler, Sr. She was Owner and Operator of Cave Spring Hardware. She is survived by a daughter, Nadine Kesler, Moneta; two sons and daughter-in-law, J. T., Jr. and Linda Kesler, Roanoke, Engle Kesler, Sr., Moneta; a sister and brother-in-law, Mildred and Hugh Whitlow, Salem. Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 19, 1997 at 10 a.m. at the Lotz Roanoke Chapel, with the Rev. William C. Logan officiating. Interment will be in Evergreen Burial Park. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Roanoke Salem Alzheimer's Association, 320 Hershberger Road, N.W., Roanoke, Va 24012. Friends may call at Lotz Roanoke Chapel after 12 noon Friday. - Roanoke Times, The (VA)
KESLER, Donna Faye, 37, of Roanoke, passed away Wednesday, June 18, 1997. She is survived by her parents, Clarence and Jo Ann Kesler of Roanoke; two brothers and one sister-in-law, Ronnie Eugene Kesler of Roanoke, James Oscar and Donna Kesler of Roanoke; three sisters and brothers-in-law, Marie and Doug Killen of Logan, W.Va., Wanda and Fleet Chenault of Roanoke, Rita and T. D. Caldwell of Roanoke; many nieces and nephews; special friends, Leola Banks and Jackie Maas. Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Friday, June 20, 1997, at Oakey's North Chapel with Rev. Harry M. Miller Jr. officiating. Interment will follow in Tombstone Cemetery. - Roanoke Times, The (VA)
SHIRLEY KESLER
CREVE COEUR -- Shirley Mae "Babe" Kesler, 42, of 109 Fairview Court died at 9:45 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7, 1997, at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria.
Born Nov. 30, 1954, in Peoria to William Everett and Leola Mae Morris Lear, she married Clark Dennis Kesler on July 8, 1995, in Creve Coeur. He survives.
Also surviving are one daughter, Elisa Marie Watters of Creve Coeur; one stepson, Joshua Clark Kesler of Morton; four brothers, Robert, David and Jimmy Lear, all of Peoria, and Bill Lear of Creve Coeur; two sisters, Mrs. Frank (Kathy) Gray of Creve Coeur and Linda Buckley of Peoria; and several nieces and nephews. Her parents and one brother preceded her in death.
She was a baker at Hometown Buffet in Peoria for the past 11/2 years, last working in September.
She attended First Christian Church Disciples of Christ.
Services will be at 8 p.m. Monday at Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Creve Coeur Chapel. The Rev. Eugene Talbot will officiate. Visitation will be two hours before services at the chapel. Graveside services will be at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at Lutheran Cemetery, Peoria.
Memorials may be made to the family in care of CEFCU in East Peoria. - Peoria Journal Star, The (IL)
KESLER Margaret Rebecca (Andre) of Okla. City passed away Dec. 22, 1997, in Dallas, at the age of 85. She was born Jan. 28, 1912, in Springfield, IL, and lived in Sayre, OK before moving to Okla. City in 1932, where she was a bookkeeper for the Okla. State Highway Dept. before retiring in 1976. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of OKC. She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles D. Kesler. Survivors are her daughter, Martha Judkins of Dallas and husband, Danny Judkins; granddaughters, Tracy Robertson of Nashua, N.H., and Jennifer and Susan Judkins, both of Dallas, nieces, Betty Pederson and Fran Shumate of the City and Ruth Berrier of Ft. Worth, Tx.; a cousin, John Engle of Okla. City. Services will be 10:30 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 27, 1997, at the Guardian Midtown Chapel with burial in Memorial Park. - Daily Oklahoman, The (Oklahoma City, OK)
KESLER, John Benjamin, 81, of Bronx, N.Y., formerly of Roanoke, Va., passed away Wednesday, December 24, 1997. He is survived by a sister, Dorothy H. (Linnell) Kasey, Roanoke; a cousin, Lawrence Leftwich; 12 nieces; four nephews, all of Roanoke, and a host of other relatives and friends. Funeral services will be Monday, January 5, 1998, at 2 p.m., at Pilgrim Baptist Church with Rev. Dwight Steele officiating. Interment will follow in Williams Memorial Park. The family will receive friends Sunday from 7 to 8 p.m. at the church. Friends may call at Serenity Funeral Home Sunday from noon to 6 p.m . Arrangements by Serenity Funeral Home, 126 Gilmer Ave., N.W - Roanoke Times, The (VA)
Lavinia Walker Kesler, age 86, passed away January 12, 1998 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
She was born January 15, 1911 in Rexburg, Idaho to Charles Edwin and Margaret Hunt Walker. She married Mack Smith Kesler, July 3, 1937 in the Salt Lake LDS Temple.
She was active in the LDS Church and held many positions in Relief Society and Primary, and did name extractions. She also was work director and quilt chairman. She loved sewing. She was a charter member of the Salt Lake Doll & Craft Guild and an avid doll collector.
She is survived by her husband, Mack; her brother, Edwin Walker; her son, Grant and wife Jeanne; daughters-in-law, Mary Lynn Kesler, and Cathy Kesler Libin; 12 grandchildren, Doug, Brian, Dena, Matthew, Jason, Jill, Jack, Emily, Margaret, J.D., Mike, and Matt; and seven great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by three sons, Lee M. Kesler, Dene J. Kesler, and Gordon M. Kesler; and brothers, Mark Walker and Ralph Walker; and sister, Sarah Mackay.
Funeral services will be held, Thursday, January 15th, at 12 noon, at Imperial Ward Chapel, 1560 E. Atkin Ave. (2840 So.). Friends may attend a viewing Wednesday, January 14th from 6 to 8 pm at Larkin Mortuary, 260 E. South Temple, or one hour before the funeral. Burial will be at the Salt Lake City Cemetery. - Deseret News, The (Salt Lake City, UT)
KESLER, Esterlene Brooks, ("Teen"), 76, of Union Hall, died Sunday, August 23, 1998. Born September 6, 1921, she was a daughter of the late John Wesley and Amanda Maxey Smith. She was preceded in death by her husbands, Claude Brooks and Vernon Kesler; brothers, Woodrow Smith, Keil Smith, Henry Leonard Smith; sister, Hilda Cundiff. Surviving are one son and daughter-in-law, Clarence and Pam Brooks of Union Hall; one grandson and his wife, John and Shannon Brooks of Glade Hill; stepdaughter and her husband, Judy and Earnest Marion of Cumberland; step-grandson and his wife, Jay and Karen Marion of Cumberland; step-great-grandson, Ryan Marion of Cumberland; three sisters and two brothers-in-law, Edith Brown of Union Hall, Mary and Henry Brown of Roanoke, Maurine and Fletcher Manning of Glade Hill; two sisters-in-law, Mabel Smith of Glade Hill and Launa Smith of Altavista. Many nieces and nephews also survive. Funeral services will be conducted 2 p.m. Tuesday, August 25, 1998, at Lynch Funeral Home Chapel with Elder Junior Conner and Rev. Belle Robertson officiating. Interment will follow in Franklin Memorial Park. Lynch Funeral Home, Rocky Mount, is in charge of arrangements. - Roanoke Times, The (VA)
January 5, 1999
WILBUR C. KESLER, 81, Morgantown, died Jan. 4. He worked for Milturn Corporation for 15 years, retiring in 1982. Previously, he was a toolmaker for Mitchell & Scott Machine Co. for 20 years. He was a Marine Corps veteran. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 736, Franklin, Ind., 46131. Services: 11 a.m. Jan. 7 in Meredith-Clark Funeral Home, Morgantown, with calling from 4 to 8 p.m. Jan. 6. Burial: Unity Church Cemetery, Brown County. Survivors: wife Tressie J. Clarke Kesler children Larry J., Ross Edward Kesler, Janet K. Payson, Viva Ellen Thompson 13 grandchildren seven great-grandchildren. - Indianapolis Star, The (IN)
KESLER, Engle Wayne Sr., 54, of Moneta, passed away Friday, February 12, 1999. Mr. Kesler is survived by one daughter and son-in-law, Stacey and Steve Martin, Roanoke; one son and daughter-in-law, Engle W. Jr. and Julie Kesler, Roanoke; two grandchildren, Megan Anne Kesler and Phillip Samuel Kesler; a sister, Nadine Kesler, Moneta; and a brother and sister-in-law, J.T. Jr. and Linda Kesler, Roanoke. Memorial services will be held Sunday, February 14 at 3 p.m. at Oakey's South Chapel with the Rev. William C. Logan officiating. The family will receive friends Sunday from 1 to 3 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to MADD, PO Box 11282, Roanoke, Va. 24022 or the United Way Family Service, 325 Campbell Ave., S.W., Roanoke, Va. 24016. Oakey's South Chapel in charge of arrangements. - Roanoke Times, The (VA)
KESLER, Doctor Hatcher, 97, of Salem, died Friday, February 19, 1999. He was retired from Trailways Bus Co. and Keslers Work Shop. Surviving family include his wife of 72 years, Laura Sears Kesler; son, Leo E. Kesler and his wife Audrey of Newport News; grandchildren, Rodney Lynn Kesler and wife Peggy of Floyd, Christina Cleary and husband Bill of Newport News, Joylene Chappell and husband Frank of Seaford; great-grandchildren, Matthew and Tanya Kesler, Sarah Cleary; sister, Minnie Murray of Boones Mill; stepgrandchildren, Rebecca Turlington of Newport News, Michelle Poole of Newport News and Jeffrey Poole of Sparta, N. C.; three stepgreat-grandchildren; special friends, Charlie and Guida Lefler; several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held Monday, February 22, 1999 at 2 p.m. at the John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home Chapel, Salem, with the Rev. Edward Woodard officiating. Interment will follow in Sherwood Memorial Park. The family will receive friends Saturday and Sunday from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the funeral home. - Roanoke Times, The (VA)
Floyd Kesler
CHOTEAU - Floyd Kesler, 72, of Choteau, died of natural causes Saturday in a Choteau hospital. Funeral services are 11 a.m. Wednesday in Trinity Lutheran Church in Choteau, with burial in Choteau Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Floyd Kesler Memorial, c/o Citizen's Bank, Choteau, MT 59422. Gorder Funeral Home is handling arrangements. Kesler was born March 19, 1926, in the Bennett Lake Community south of Malta. He attended a country school in Bennett Lake and Malta High School. On March 24, 1946, he married Betty Lou Blunt at Malta Lutheran Church. He was a parts man and tire manager for Ford Garage for 13 years, then was hired by the Mead Brothers Ranch. He leased Henry Smith's ranch north of Malta and also leased ranches in Cascade, Cut Bank and Choteau, where he eventually bought the Flying U Ranch. He enjoyed riding horseback to check on his cattle and attending his grandchildren's sporting events and 4-H fairs. He also liked bull sales, the Fourth of July rodeo in Choteau, helping neighbors at shipping time and hosting 15 international agricultural exchange trainees.
Surviving are his wife two sons, Ross Kesler and Bruce Kesler of Choteau a daughter, Diane Kalanick of Fort Benton two brothers, Forrest Kesler of Malta and Orren Kesler of Phoenix, Ariz. and 10 grandchildren. - Great Falls Tribune (MT)
Elaine Jensen Kesler passed away March 23, 1999 in Taylorsville, Utah after a courageous battle with cancer. Elaine was born August 23, 1938 in Axtell, Utah to Keogh and Vontess Jensen. She graduated from No. Sevier High in Salina and the U of U. Elaine married her best friend, Veryl Kesler, on Sept. 6, 1975 in Salt Lake and were sealed Dec. 18, 1976 in the Salt Lake Temple. Elaine served an LDS Mission to Denmark 1962-1964. She has served in numerous church positions throughout her life. They lived for 21 years in Alaska before moving back to Utah. She loved helping others; was a gracious host and had many close friends.
She is survived by her loving husband, Veryl; her mother, Vontess Jensen, Redmond, UT; brothers and sisters, Phyllis (Hank) Thiessens, Beth LaRene (Hal) Barker, Ellen Kay (Powell) Johnson, John Lee (Luane), Paul (Linda), Allen (Louise), Steve (Lorilee), Neal (Connie) and Gary Lynn (Lola). Elaine is also survived by her stepchildren, Dave (Jodi), Lori (Mike) Hansen, Roger (Lisa) and Neil Kesler and numerous nieces and nephews. Elaine is preceded in death by her father, Keogh; brother, Lynn and sister, Velma.
Funeral Services will be held Saturday, March 27, 1999 at 1 p.m. at the Redmond 2nd Ward, Redmond, Utah. Interment: Redmond Cemetery, Redmond, Utah. Funeral Directors: Valley View Funeral Home. - Deseret News, The (Salt Lake City, UT)
KESLER, Kathryn Louise, 91, a life long resident of Roanoke, passed away Friday, April 9, 1999. Miss Kesler was a former Roanoke City public school teacher, retired in 1971. She taught at Monroe Elementary and Jr. High Schools, and Woodrow Wilson Jr. High School. Miss Kesler was a member of Woodlawn United Methodist Church. She was also active in Eta Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma and League of Roanoke Artists. Survivors include one brother, William J. Kesler, sister-in-law, Mrs. Robert E. Kesler wife of the late Robert E. (Gene) Kesler, and four beloved nephews and their families. Also, Miss Kesler had nine great-nieces and nephews, and many, many dear friends. No funeral service will be held because her body will be given to science. A memorial service will be held at Woodlawn United Methodist Church on April 18, 1999 at 2 p.m. Remembrance gifts may be given to the Kathryn L. Kesler Scholarship Fund, C / O: Woodlawn United Methodist Church, 2922 Corbieshaw Rd., S.W. Roanoke, Va. 24015. (This fund was established in 1997 for college students interested in a teaching career). - Roanoke Times, The (VA)
KESLER Billy Mark (Joe), 53, of Plano, TX, formerly of Yukon, lost his fight with cancer April 12, 1999 at home. He was born in OKC on July 27, 1945. He leaves his wife, Roberta and his beloved children Marka Dyer and husband Scott, and Doug Kesler and wife Michelle of Yukon, Darren Kesler of OKC and Michael Howard and his wife Katie of Seattle. He also leaves his mother, Norma Kesler Lawrence of OKC, his sister, Vicki Foree and her husband Larry of OKC and his Twin Sister Diane Wooden-Lawson and her husband Darrel, of Yukon. He also leaves behind his grandchildren, Michael and Megan Kesler of Yukon and Ryan and Katie Ballard of OKC. He also leaves behind special memories of his niece, Denise Wooden and nephews, Mark, Mike, Monty & Mickey Foree, and Devin Wooden and a host of other family and friends, all of whom he loved dearly. He is preceded in death by his father, Warren Billy Kesler, and his grandparents, Mark & Vernelia Kesler and Coy & Hattie Cuttright. He was a graduate of Putnam City High School and served in the Air National Guard. He was in retail management for 35 years, moat recently with Service Merchandise and leaves many wonderful associates there. Besides his family, the loves of his life were riding his Harley, playing golf and bowling. Services will be at 2:00 p.m. on April 15, 1999 at the Drexel Boulevard Church of Christ at 1301 N. Drexel in OKC. He will never be forgotten.- Daily Oklahoman, The (Oklahoma City, OK)
Forrest E. Kesler
MALTA - Forrest E. Kesler, 88, died of natural causes Tuesday at a Malta retirement center.
His funeral is 2 p.m. Friday at Adams Memorial Chapel in Malta, with burial in Malta Cemetery.
He was born Oct. 10, 1910, in Cando, N.D. His family moved to Cuba when he was an infant, then he and his father returned to North Dakota after his mother's death. When he was 6, he went to live with his grandparents in Idaho, and at age 9 moved with his father and stepmother to the Bennett Lake community south of Malta. He attended Black Coulee School and graduated from Malta High School. After graduation, he helped trail a herd of horses from Malta to Idaho and spent the majority of his life as a rancher in the Bennett Lake area.
He enjoyed sports and had played on the Bennett Lake team in his younger years.
Survivors include numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
