Frank B. Kessler
Frank B. Kessler, 92, retired farmer
and stockman, died Sunday (Sept. 10, 2006) at Newton Medical Center.
He was born Feb. 2, 1914, to Roy A. and Grace B. (Dilts) Kessler in
Newton. They preceded him in death. He married Mary C. Jorgenson on
June 10, 1941, in Manhattan. She survives of the home. Frank
graduated from Newton High School in 1932 and from Kansas State
University in 1938. He served in the U.S. Army from 1942 until 1945
during World War II in the North African and European theaters. He
joined the staff of the Fort hays Experiment Station in Hays in 1946
where he managed beef cattle research. In 1957, he operated a ranch
in Smith County until 1962 when he returned to the family farm south
of Newton where he grew up. Frank retired from farming in 1986 and
moved to Newton.
He was a member of Trinity Heights
United Methodist Church in Newton. He was a member of the American
Legion and a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Newton,
the Kansas Livestock Association (and past county committeeman),
Harvey County Livestock Association (and past president), Harvey
County Farm Bureau and past board member, Kansas State University
Alumni Association, Kansas Chapter of Farm House Fraternity. He was a
former member of the Rotary Clubs of Hays and Newton. He was a former
member of the American Legion of Hays and a charter and former member
of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of Hays.
Other survivors include: a son, Alan F.
Kessler and wife Karen of Fort Smith, Ark.; a daughter, Arlys Nilles
and husband Gary of Verona, Wis.; a sister, Edith Wiebe of Wichita; a
granddaughter, Elizabeth Kessler of Evanston, Ill.; a grandson, Brian
Kessler of Berkley, Calif.; a granddaughter, Alissa (Nilles) Hirscher
and husband Matt of Madison, Wis.; a grandson, Scott Nilles of
Madison; and a great-granddaughter, Amelie Hirscher.
Visitation will be from 1 to 9 p.m.
Friday with family greeting friends from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Petersen
Funeral Home.
Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m.
Saturday at Trinity Heights United Methodist Church with Pastor Phil
Fischer officiating.
Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery.
Memorials have been established with
Newton Medical Center, Presbyterian Manor, Trinity Heights United
Methodist Church and Hospice Care of Kansas, all in care of the
funeral home.
