Kessler, Benard A. 'Ben'

1943 - 2024  (81 years)

• Name	Kessler, Benard A. 'Ben'
  		Benard A. 'Ben' Kessler (1943-2024)
  Birth	1 May 1943	Wendelin, Clay County, Illinois   [1]
  Gender	Male
  Reference Number	KESS.B003
  Funeral	14 Dec 2024 (81 years)	Holy Cross Catholic Church, Wendelin, Clay County, Illinois   [1]
  Death	9 Dec 2024	Blessing Hospital, Quincy, Adams County, Illinois   [1]
  Burial	14 Dec 2024	Holy Cross Cemetery, Wendelin, Clay County, Illinois   [1]
  Person ID	I54208	Carl Wayne Gray Research
  Last Modified	14 Dec 2024

  
  

  Father	Kessler, Edwin Zachary,   b. 2 Dec 1896, Illinois d. 8 Jan 1973 (Age 76 years)
  Mother	Kuenstler, Helen,   b. 12 Jan 1902, Clay County, Illinois d. 21 Apr 1965, Olney, Richland County, Illinois (Age 63 years)
  Family ID	F16359	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family	Dhom, Martha   d. 16 Jan 2001
  Marriage	9 Oct 1965	St. Thomas Catholic Church, Newton, Jasper County, Illinois   [2]
  Children	> 1. Kessler, M. > 2. Kessler, E.   3. Kessler, S. > 4. Kessler, L.   5. Kessler, M.   6. Kessler, L.
  Family ID	F19671	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Event Map

  Birth - 1 May 1943 - Wendelin, Clay County, Illinois Funeral - 14 Dec 2024 - Holy Cross Catholic Church, Wendelin, Clay County, Illinois Burial - 14 Dec 2024 - Holy Cross Cemetery, Wendelin, Clay County, Illinois  = Link to Google Earth

  
  

• Notes

  Benard “Ben” Kessler, 81, of Loraine, Illinois, passed away at 9:42 p.m. on Monday, December 9, 2024, at Blessing Hospital in Quincy, Illinois. He was born on May 1, 1943, in Wendelin, Illinois, a son of Edwin and Helen (Kuenstler) Kessler. He married Martha Dhom on October 9, 1965, at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Newton, Illinois. She preceded him in death on January 16, 2001. Ben graduated from Clay City High School. He then furthered his education at Southern Illinois University earning his bachelor’s degree in agriculture science and his master’s degree in economics. He retired from the USDA Farm Service Agency in 2005 and farmed. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Loraine Lions Club. He enjoyed collectables, dancing, and reading mystery novels. He loved spending time with his family and friends. Surviving are three daughters, Milicent (Mark) Dempsey of Fowler, Illinois, Ellen Ordonio of Kirksville, Missouri, Susan Kessler of Quincy, Illinois; three sons, Leland (Stephanie) Kessler of Deer River, Minnesota, Matthew (Kriya) Kessler of Okinawa, Japan, Luke (Steven Crays) Kessler of Indianapolis, Indiana; a special friend, Helga Mixer of Quincy, Illinois; nine grandchildren, Grant (Rachel) Dempsey, Gabriella (Jake) Bergman, Corrina (Cody Pezold) Ordonio, Cecilia (Bryce) Sherman, William Kessler, Sarah Kessler, Alexandria Juilfs, Franziska Kessler, McKenzie Kessler; his brothers, Hugh (Frances) Kessler and Carl Kessler; his sisters-in-law, Norma Kessler and Linda Dhom; and his brother-in-law Andrew Dhom. Many nieces, nephews, and other family members also survive. Ben was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Martha; five sisters, Erma (Melvin) Rauch, Elizabeth (Tom) Coan, Gertrude (Clifford) Rauch, Frieda Kessler, Carolyn (Robert) Frohning; two brothers, Paul (Mary) Kessler and Leonard Kessler; and sisters-in-law Judy Kessler, Sharon Dhom, Marilyn (Cletus) Zumbahlen, Rosella (Gerald) Hemrich, and brother-in law Ted Dhom. A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 14, 2024, at the Holy Cross Catholic Church of Wendelin, Illinois. Fr. Steven Beatty will officiate. Interment will follow at the Holy Cross Cemetery in Wendelin. Visitation will be held on Friday evening from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at St. Edward the Confessor Catholic Church in Mendon, Illinois. The rosary will be held at 6:00 p.m. Visitation will also be held on Saturday morning from 10:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at the Holy Cross Catholic Church in Wendelin, Illinois. Memorials may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, Loraine Lions Club or to the Quincy Senior Center.

  
  

• Sources

  [S16406] Triplett Funeral Homes, Obituary, Kessler, Benard “Ben” Kessler, 81, (https://www.triplettfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/benard-kessler?fbclid=IwY2xjawHK0vZleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHfBIxvPHOWfaaacNi8Xs), none. (Reliability: 2). [S15738] Kistler-Patterson Funeral Homes, Obituary, Kesler, Leonard, 82, (https://www.kistler-patterson.com/obituaries/obituary-listings?obId=29892180&fbclid=IwAR38iD3r_zl54OVHGP72l8AlGUcmzvtcMK) (Reliability: 2).