Merle K. Kessel

Merle Kent Kessel, age 77, died Monday, April 30th at 11:20 A.M. at his residence. Visitation for Mr. Kessel was from 7:00-9:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 2nd at Mitchell-Hughes Funeral Home in Marion, and from 11:00 a.m. on Thursday at Wilson Funeral Home in Ava until the time of the funeral there at 1:00 p.m. Father Mark Reyling officiated. Burial with military rites were at Evergreen Cemetery in Ava. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois. Envelopes are available at the funeral home. Mr. Kessel was born April 8, 1924 in Ava, Illinois, to Henry and Lela (Valentin) Kessel. Both parents preceded him in death. He married Faye M. Ellis in Arlington, Virginia, on March 30, 1946. She survives of Marion. Survivors include the following: 1 Son & Daughter-in-law: Greg & Susan Kessel of Marion 2 Grandchildren: Dylan & Sarah Kessel of Marion 2 Brothers: Norman Kessel of DuQuoin Mel Kessel of West Frankfort He was preceded in death by two sisters, Evelyn Kessel and Virginia Pyron. Mr. Kessel was the founder of Kessel Landscape Service. He was an Army Veteran of World War II, having serving in Italy and later in the Adj. Gen. Office in Washington, D.C. He was a lifetime member of VFW Post #1301. In 1950 Mr. Kessel began work with GTE as a lineman and progressed to his last position as General Engineering Supervisor in their Bloomington headquarters before retiring. He was a lifetime member of the Telephone Pioneers Association. He was an accomplished musician (guitar), and he loved gardening, cooking and genealogy. He was a member of Zion United Church of Christ in Marion, having served on the Church Council. He enjoyed helping others and worked as a volunteer for the Marion Ministerial Alliance as long as health would permit.