Ed L. Kessler

KESSLER, RYAN, KRON, JOHNSON, COSTOLO

Posted By: Greg Strub (email)
Date: 4/15/2010 at 08:44:34

1994 - 10 May - Iowa City Press Citizen

Former County Supervisor Ed Kessler dies

Ed L. Kessler, a Johnson County Supervisor from 1963 to 1974, died this morning at his home after a sudden illness.

"I never knew a man more dedicated than Ed," said County Treasurer Donald Krall, who served with Kessler on the board for four years. "He was strong in his decisions and strong in his convictions." And ""I always knew that Ed was an honest guy, Krall said.

Former supervisor Bob Burns worked with Kessler on the board for three years. "He was a totally honest man who always worked for the good of the county, " Burns said.

Kessler, 306 Highland Drive, was on the board when a bond issue to open the county care facility got 70 percent approval, Krall said. And he also was instrumental in helping to improve the county's road maintenance system, Krall said.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Mary's Catholic Church, with the Rev. Henry Greiner officiating. Burial will be St. Joseph's Cemetery. Visitation will begin after 10 a.m. Friday at the Donohue Lensing Mortuary.

A Knights of Columbus rosary will be said at 7 p.m. and a parish rosary at 7:30 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to St. Mary's Hall or the diabetes association.

Mr. Kessler was born May 21, 1904, in Solon, a son of A.G. and Theresa Ryan Kessler. He married Irene Kron Feb. 6, 1934, in Richmond.

He farmed in the Solon, Riverside and Iowa City areas, moving to Iowa City in 1948. He was a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters, Knights of Columbus, Johnson County Farm Bureau, Loyal Order of Moose, Fraternal Order of Eagles and St. Mary's Catholic Church in Iowa City.

Survivors include his wife, Irene; a daughter, Darlene (Mrs. Donald) Johnson, of rural Oxford; two brothers, William and Morris, both of Solon; two sisters, Irene (Mrs. William) Costolo, and Alice Kessler, both of Solon; and five grandchildren.

One sister and two brothers died earlier.