Buford F. Kessler 1922-2002

KESSLER, STRUB, MICHEL

Posted By: Lori Clark (email)
Date: 10/10/2002 at 09:02:09

Buford F. Kessler, age 79 of 519 2nd. Avenue, Iowa City died Wednesday, April 24, 2002, at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City following a sudden illness. Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. Sunday, April 28, 2002 at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City, with burial at St. Joseph Cemetery in Iowa City. Visitation will be from 4 to 8pm Saturday at the funeral home. Memorial donations can be made to either Autism Research Institute @4182 Adams Avenue, San Diego, CA 92116 or the American Diabetes Association @ P.O. Box 1833, Merrifield, VA 22116 attn: Ada Web. Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service of Iowa City is caring for Buford’s services and his family.

Buford was born August 8, 1922 in Iowa City, the son of Louis and Mary (Strub) Kessler. He graduated from St. Patrick’s High School, later served in the United States Navy during WWII.On August 7, 1953 he married Mary Jean Michel in Rock Island, IL. From 1951 until 1968 he was service manager for Alden’s Appliance Store. After their closing in 1968, he went into business for himself as Kessler’s Appliance retiring in 1986.

As a lifetime resident of Iowa City he enjoyed local sports, the Chicago Cubs, working around his home, and the cartoon characters, Popeye and Mickey Mouse.

His family includes his wife, Mary Jean; daughters, Jean Untrayer of Iowa City, and JoAnn and her husband, Chuck Hawtrey of Iowa City; sons, James Kessler of Salem, Oregon and Jeff and his wife, Julie Kessler of Solon; eight grandchildren, Jennifer Kindon, Benjy Milder, Terra Untrayer, Nicole Geske, Amanda and Katlynn Kessler, Justin and Jordan Kessler; five great-grandchildren, Samantha, Dylan, Devin, Drake, and Shelby Kindon; one half-sister, Catherine Kessler of Iowa City.

Buford was preceded in death by his parents.