Waldo Reed Kessler, Rev. (1948)

KESSLER, STANLEY

Posted By: Mary Welty Hart (email)
Date: 6/30/2006 at 18:59:14

Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Wednesday, June 30, 1948

Rev. Reed Kessler Dies In Indiana

Death Occurs in Ft. Wayne Hospital Following Heart Attack

The Rev. Reed Kessler, pastor of the Hill of Zion church in Adair county, died at a hospital in Ft. Wayne, Ind., Monday night, June 29, 1948, according to word received here Tuesday.

The Rev. Mr. Kessler was stricken with a heart ailment June 14, while enroute to a church conference in Ohio. He was taken from a bus, on which he was traveling, and hospitalized at Ft. Wayne. His wife was called to his bedside and was at Ft. Wayne with him when his death occurred.

The Rev. Mr. Kessler was abut 49 years of age. He was widely known throughout Madison county, having made his home here for many years. He was a former pastor of the West Star-Worthington and Webster Methodist churches. He was also connected with the Ramsey-Richards funeral home in Winterset for some time, and in recent years had been managing that firm's funeral home in Lorimor.

In addition to his wife, Freda, he leaves a daughter, Mrs. Glen Stanley of near Winterset; and two sons, Leo Kessler, a student in the Creston Junior college, and Gailen Kessler at home.

No funeral arrangements had been made as the Madisonian went to press.
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Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Wednesday, July 7, 1948
Page 1, Column 1

RITES HELD FRIDAY FOR REV. KESSLER

Well Known Minister Here Died June 28, at Ft. Wayne, Ind.

Funeral services for the Rev. W. Reed Kessler, pastor of the Hill of Zion congregational Christian church at Zion, were held last Friday, both from that church and from the Winterset Methodist church.

The services at Zion were held at 10 a.m. in charge of the Rev. Judson Fiebiger. At 2:30 p.m. services were held from the Winterset Methodist church, in charge of the Rev. W. F. Clayburg. Burial was made in the Winterset cemetery.

The Rev. Mr. Kessler's death occurred at Ft. Wayne, Ind., on June 28, following a heart attack. He was 47 years of age.

The Rev. Mr. Kessler was born at Lacona on Oct. 31, 1900, the son of Joseph and May Proctor Kessler. He was married to Freda M. Sones on Jan. 5, 1920. He entered the ministry in 1921, and attended Simpson academy and college, and Denver university. He served pastorates in Wyoming and Colorado, and in Iowa, he served the Sandyville and Palmyra South Indianola circuit, Brown's chapel, Liberty Center, Worthington, West Star, Pitzer and Stuart.

Surviving are his wife; a daughter, Mrs. Marie Stanley of Earlham; two sons, Leo R. Kessler, and Galen R. Kessler, both at home; three grandchildren; two brothers, John Kessler of Lacona and Drew Kessler of Sunnyvale, Calif., and two sisters,Mrs. W. A. Bumgardener of Piqua, O., and Mrs. Allen Chase of Indianola.
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Earlham Echo
Earlham, Iowa
Thursday, July 22, 1948
Page 1

Waldo Reed Kessler, son of Joseph J. and L. May Proctor Kessler was born at Lacona, Iowa, October 31, 1900. He died June 29th, 1948 at the age of 47 years, seven months and 29 days.

He had been ill in the Methodist hospital at Fort Wayne, Indiana, for two weeks, he was stricken with a heart attack there on the way as a delegate to the General Council of the Congregational Christian churches being held at Oberlin, Ohio.

He was married to Freeda M. Sones January 5th, 1920. Besides his wife he is survived by three children, one daughter Marie, now Mrs. Glen Stanley of Earlham, Iowa, and two sons, Leo R. and Galen R. both at home, also three grandchildren, Mary Jane, Ray Reed and Martha Louise Stanley; two brothers, John of Lacona, Iowa, and Drew of Sunnyvale, California; two sisters, Mrs. W. O. Bumgardner of Piqua, Ohio, and Mrs. Allen Chase, Indianola, Iowa; several nieces, nephews and many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and two brothers, Leo and Randall.

He was converted at the Lacona Methodist church, January 1921 under the pastorate of Rev. W. F. Clayburg, and entered the Ministry in September, 1921. He attended Simpson Academy and College, and later attended Denver University. He served Pastorates in Wyoming, Colorado and Iowa. Among the Iowa Pastorates were Sandyville and Palmyra, South Indianola Circuit, Browns Chapel, Liberty Center, Worthington, West Star, Pitzer, and Stuart. He also assisted with the work of the Southwest Association Parish for a time. At the time of his death he was Pastor of Orient and Hill of Zion Congregational Christian churches and with his family resided at Hill of Zion. A member in full standing of the Iowa Congregation Christian churches and a member of the Southwest Association.

Reed, as he was known by most of his Parishioners was a faithful servant of God, always happy in his ministry and home spreading cheer and sunshine wherever he went.

Funeral services were conducted Friday, July 2 at the Hill of Zion church at 10:00 a.m. in charge of Rev. Virne Willey of Truro, Iowa. At 2:30 p.m. services were held in the Methodist church at Winterset conducted by the Rev. W. F. Clayburg of Council Bluffs, assisted by Rev. B. F. Hamilton of Indianola. Burial was made in the Winterset cemetery.

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