Orville Leroy Kessler

KESSLER, WALTERS, HAAS, WEBBER, PENROD, KAUZLARICH, KAUZLARICH-RUPE, MORRIS, ROHERT, WOODHOUSE

Posted By: Greg Strub (email)
Date: 4/15/2010 at 12:33:59

Thursday, April 19, 2007

Orville Kessler, 88

Orville Leroy Kessler, 88, of Iowa City, Iowa and South Bend, Indiana died at Healthwin Specialized Care Facility in South Bend on April 12, 2007, following a long illness.

Mr. Kessler was born on October 28, 1918, in Solon, Iowa to the late Ernest and Cora (Walters) Kessler. During World War II he served 3 years in the 310th Medical Battalion supporting the 85th "Custer" Division in Italy, which broke through the Gustav and Hitler lines. He served in the battles of Rome, Arno, Northern Apennines and Po Valley.

Following the war he lived in Missouri where he married Elaine Haas of Neosho, Missouri, who died shortly thereafter of rheumatic fever. He moved to Iowa City, Iowa in 1948, and on December 25, 1952, married Woodrow (Woodye) Webber in Iowa City, where they resided until moving to South Bend, Indiana. Mr. Kessler worked at A&P Grocery, Alden's Department Store, and the University of Iowa Motor Pool from which he retired in 1983.

As a long-term member of First Baptist Church, Iowa City, he served as a deacon and usher. He volunteered in a number of capacities, including assisting his wife, Woodye, in ministry to jail and prison inmates, shut-ins and others needing assistance. The Mary Caldron Nursing Home awarded him with the "Distinguished Volunteer Service Award" in December of 1988. For many years he was an election judge in Johnson County.

Mr. Kessler was preceded in death by an older brother, Ervin Kessler, who died in infancy; a great-granddaughter, Florence Penrod; and 2 sons-in-law, James Kauzlarich and John Rupe. Survivors include his wife, Woodye, now residing in South Bend, IN, and five children: Dorinda K. W. Kauzlarich-Rupe, South Bend, IN; Wilda K. W. (Edgar) Morris, Bolingbrook, IL: Thomas L. (Adel) Kessler, Cedar Falls, IA; Rebecca Kessler, Iowa City, IA; and Alice (Robert) Rohret, Jesup, IA. Also surviving are 14 grandchildren, including Cristina and Joseph Woodhouse, Iowa City, IA; and 24 great-grandchildren.

Viewing and visitation will be held at First Baptist Church, 500 N. Clinton on Saturday, April 21 from 9:30 to 11:30. The memorial service will follow at 11:30, with the Reverends Wallace Bubar and Wilda K. W. Morris officiating.

Interment will be in Oakland Cemetery in Solon, Iowa. Dinner will be served at First Baptist Church following. Memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church 500 North Clinton Street, Iowa City, Iowa, 52245, or to Healthwin Specialized Care Facility, 20531 Darden Road, South Bend, IN 46637.