Kenneth E. KesslerÂ
(May 29, 1943 – May 6, 2024)
Kenneth E. Kessler, 80, of Stewardson, Illinois, passed away on Monday, May 6, 2024, at home. He was born May 29th, 1943, to Oscar and Melva Kessler. He married Marilyn A. Durbin on June 16, 1963. They were married for 60 years.
Funeral Services will be held Saturday, May 11, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. at United Methodist Church, Stewardson, IL. Visitation will be held from 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. on Saturday in the church. Burial will be in Stewardson Cemetery. Arrangements are by Howe and Yockey Funeral Home, Shelbyville, IL.
Kenneth graduated from Stewardson Strasburg High School in 1961. Kenneth was a life-long farmer since he was a small child. He was in the dairy business for over 60 years. As a young man, he worked side by side with his father, Oscar, until his son, Kevin, was old enough to drive a tractor and milk cows. Then history repeated itself with father and son working together after his father retired. He planned on being on the tractor or combine until his death because he always said that was his happy place. His only hobby in life was working at the farm.
In loving memory of Kenneth, memorials may be made to United Methodist Church where Kenneth was a life-time member and he ushered for many years or to the Stewardson Cemetery Fund or COWS.
Kenneth is survived by his wife, Marilyn; daughter, Kendra (Steve) Gallagher; son, Kevin (Susan) Kessler; grandchildren, Cody (Jackie) Gallagher, Brock Gallagher, Lara (Andrew) Bauer, Katlyn (Nathan) Doty, Karsyn Kessler, Casey (Johnny) Tripiano, and Karley (Alex) Frohning; great granddaughters, Genny and Gianna Gallagher, Laikyn Bauer, baby Doty anytime, and great grandson, Nolan Frohning. He is also survived by his brothers-in-law, Fred (Pauline) Durbin, Dave (Clara Ann) Durbin and Laverne Apke; and sisters-in-law, Frieda Juhnke; Deanna Durbin; Patty (Mike) Reed, and Mary Durbin.
Preceding him in death were his parents, Oscar and Melva Kessler; brothers, Edwin (Bertha) Kessler, and Keith (Lois) Kessler; sisters, Delores Kessler, Betty (Gene) Ohnesorge and Bonnie Apke; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Lewis and Berneice Durbin; and brothers-in-law, Lloyd Durbin, Guy Juhnke, and Gary Durbin.