Gilbert Kessler's Obituary
Gilbert M Kessler Jr, 87, passed away on Monday, January 9, 2017 at a nursing center near his son's home in Mineral Springs, NC following complications resulting from an illness.
He leaves his wife of 65 years, Pearl (Hill) Kessler; his son, Timothy Kessler and his wife Julia Kessler; his son, David Kessler; his daughter Linda Hedgepeth and her husband Keith Hedgepeth; his stepbrother John R Gates; his grandson Robert Kessler and his fiancée Kate McNabb; his grandson Matthew Kessler and his wife Rebecca Kessler; his granddaughter Lisa Davis and her husband Nic Davis; his grandson Wesley Hedgepeth and his spouse Derek Hedgepeth; his grandson, Warren Hedgepeth and his wife Christal Hedgepeth; 7 great grandchildren; and many close friends.
Gilbert was born in Tyrone, PA on February 15, 1929 to Gilbert M Kessler Sr and Helene (Cox) Kessler. In his early years he would work at his Father's feed mill and enjoy many outdoor activities with his Father. After graduating Tyrone High School he attended Penn State - Altoona where he met his wife Pearl Kessler. Gilbert and Pearl married in 1951. He completed his education in electrical engineering through Penn State as well as through his service in the Navy during the Korean War.
After the Navy he worked in industry and subsequently started his own electronic equipment sales company. Over the years he passed on his love of the outdoors to his family and enjoyed hunting and fishing in Pennsylvania, Florida, Wisconsin and Canada with his sons and Father. He and his wife were very talented bridge players. Additionally, he enjoyed traveling with his wife and children. He was a man of faith and enjoyed his years of membership at the St. Peter's Pikeland United Church of Christ in Chester Springs, PA., where he served as Deacon.
Gilbert was a very warm man and he reached out to many individually as well as through charity organizations and church. He was always there for his children and adored all of his grandchildren and his great grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at Scotia Village in Laurinburg, NC on Saturday January 21, 2017. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to St. Peter's Pikeland United Church of Christ at 1193 Clover Mill Rd, Chester Springs, PA 19425.
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