Wayne Edward Kessler
Oct. 19, 1930-Sept. 11, 2021
Wayne Edward Kessler, 90, of Crawfordsville passed away Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021.
He was born Oct. 19, 1930, at Culver Hospital in Crawfordsville, to Clayton and Louise (Gohl) Kessler.
He was a lifetime farmer raising grain and livestock with the assistance of his wife and family members in the Whitesville Neighborhood of Montgomery County. He was educated at the Whitesville Grade School and Crawfordsville High School where he graduated in 1948. After attending Purdue University and pledging Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity he started his farming career with his father who had suffered a severe injury and failing health.
He married MariAnn Houston in 1950 and celebrated 65 years of marriage until her death Jan. 28, 2016.
Being drafted, he served two years in the Army and after training at the Fort Benjamin Harrison Adjutant General School, he was stationed in Germany as a personnel specialist. He then resumed his farming career in 1956.
He served his community with memberships and holding offices in the Whitesville Church, South Montgomery School Corporation, Montgomery County Council (12 years), Lincoln Savings Bank (24 years), Farm Bureau Co-op, Soil and Water Conservation District and Sugar Creek Kiwanis. In his retirement years, he served as a volunteer in the FISH organization and as a hospital Red Coat, and with Meals on Wheels. He especially enjoyed the fellowship and the spirited competition that he experienced as a member of the Wabash College Tennis Club and for the last 20 years he looked forward to the annual family gathering at the Marriott Grande Ocean Resort on Hilton Head Island for a week in July.
He is survived by his children, Toni Michele (David) Newgent, Jini Charisse Kessler and Mark Wayne Kessler; grandchildren, Jill (Oppy) Kessler, Kylene (Dwayne) Simpson, Kyle (Mallory) Kessler and Elizabeth Norris; and great-grandchildren, Clayton, Claire, Carter and Colby Kessler, Ryder Kessler and Malcom Simpson.
He was preceded in death by his wife; his parents; grandson Steven Scott Kessler; and his two younger brothers, Evan and Milton.
Cremation was chosen with a celebration of life at a later date. Sanders Priebe Funeral Care entrusted with care.
Memorial donations may be given to the Whitesville Christian Church,
3603 S. Ladoga Road, Crawfordsville, IN 47933.
Share memories and condolences online at www.sandersfuneralcare.com.
