James H. Kessler, 69, of Witt, died on Tuesday, May 24, 2022, at 11:35 a.m. in Springfield, surrounded by family and loved ones.
Visitation will be held Thursday, May 26, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at Ellinger-Kunz and Park Funeral Home in Springfield, 530 N. 5th St. A Celebration of Life will be conducted Friday, May 27, beginning at 10 a.m. at West Side Christian Church, 2850 Cider Mill Lane, Springfield, with his eldest son, the Rev. Matthew Kessler, officiating. Burial will be held Saturday, May 28, beginning at 1 p.m. at Camp Butler with full military honors.
Mr. Kessler was born Oct. 18, 1952, in Milwaukee, WI, to James Henry Kessler and Ethel Elizabeth Marshall. He married Valerie Jolene Buell on Sept. 10, 1977.
He graduated as a SpeedBoy from Witt High School on May 29, 1970. He then served his country honorably from 1972 to 1975 in the Army 101st Airborne Division as a surveyor in Germany. The Army designated him an M-16 Expert, Sharpshooter and the National Defense Service Medal.
After his service, Mr. Kessler wandered into the Lighterside Christian Coffee House in Springfield, where he became a Christian. He attended and graduated from Mid-America Teen Challenge Center in Cape Girardeau, MO, in 1976.
He graduated from Christ For The Nations Institute in Dallas, TX, on Dec. 14, 1980, with a theological degree. He became an ordained minister of the gospel on Nov. 18, 1984, through Newman Park Church in Dallas, TX.
Mr. Kessler loved the Bible and passionately studied the word. He loved worship music and playing his guitar and harmonica. In his lifetime, he served in various ministries as associate pastor, prophetic counselor, Christian school principal, evangelist and missionary. He traveled to Australia, Nicaragua, St. Martin, Curacao and throughout the U.S. to preach the good news.
A masterful carpenter, he built homes, custom free-standing staircases and handcrafted a 14-foot schooner sailboat he named “ValSaRae.” He enjoyed writing and in 1998, co-wrote the book Wealth or Mammon. He also loved coaching his boys in little league baseball. For years, he owned exotic animals and performed “The Jungle” presentations in schools using his animals to teach children life lessons.
Mr. Kessler is survived by his seven children, Matthew (Kelli) Kessler of Pana, Jonathan Kessler, Rachel Kessler, both of Springfield, Michael (Tara) Kessler of Rochester, David Kessler, Daniel Kessler, both of Decatur, and Sarah (John) Scheller of Pleasant Plains; his children’s mother; 12 grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, George and Donald Kessler; and grandparents, Harry and Rose Marshall and George “Earl” and Jessie Kessler.
Memorials may be directed to Faith Bible Christian Academy (FBCA) in Rosamond, where he sent his children for a faith-based education. Online condolences to the family may be left at www.parkfuneralhomesinc.com.
