Obituary for Murel J. "Jim" Kessler
Kessler, Murel J. “Jim”
Saginaw Township, Michigan
Our beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and brother, Murel J. “Jim” Kessler, passed away peacefully in the afternoon hours of Wednesday, April 20, 2022 at Covenant Health Care Harrison in Saginaw, Michigan. Age 90 years. Jim was born on January 21, 1932 in Henry Co., Ohio to the late Wilbur and Ruby Alice (Murdock) Kessler. Following high school, Jim went on to proudly serve his country as a member of the United State Marine Corps.; serving during the Korean War. On February 22, 1955 Jim married Lila Westendorf, and she preceded him in death in 1969. On June 6, 1970 Jim married his loving wife, Susan Platko, and she survives him. After over 44 years of service as a Conductor and Brakeman; Jim retired on September 30, 1999 from CSX Railroad. Jim was a faithful man; being a longtime member of St. Dominic Parish – SS. Peter and Paul Church. He was very active with the church; volunteering for various organizations. Jim was also a member of the Knights of Columbus Council #4232, R.E.A.D. Association, and the United Transportation Union. No one was ever a stranger to Jim. Wherever Jim and Sue went he was always making new friends; stirring up laughter and conversation. Jim had numerous joys in life, but nothing brought him more joy than helping others. He especially loved helping kids learn to read. Jim will be missed dearly by all, and his memories cherished forever.
Left to cherish his memories are his beloved wife, Susan Kessler; four children, Joel (Susan) Kessler of Micco, FL, Scott Kessler of Cottage Grove, OR, Lisa (Tom) Schroeder of Zilwaukee, MI, and Eric (Chris) Kessler of Portland, OR; six grandchildren, Leah (Michael), Joe, Jenni (Michael), Alex, Lindsay (Alan), and Michelle (Paul); several great-grandchildren; loving brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law; and many nieces and nephews. Jim is happily reunited with his daughter-in-law, Theresa Kessler; parents, Wilbur and Ruby Alice (Murdock) Kessler; siblings, Lavina (Harry) Norris, Clara (Robert) Gilgenbach, Geraldine (Mel) Dillon, and Robert (Mary Lou) Kessler; his first wife, Lila Westendorf; and father-in-law and mother-in-law, Michael and Mary Platko.
The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 26, 2022 at St. Dominic Parish – St. Stephen Catholic Church, 2711 Mackinaw St. Saginaw, MI 48602. Concelebrating will be Rev. Fr. Steven Gavit and Rev. Fr. John R. Johnson. Visitation will take place at The Snow Funeral Home, 3775 N. Center Rd. (Between Shattuck and McCarty) on Monday, April 25, 2022 from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., and at church on Tuesday, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of Mass. Immediately following Mass family and friends will travel in procession to St. Andrew Cemetery for Military Honors and the Rite of Committal. Military Honors will be conducted under the auspices of the United States Marine Corps. A Vigil Service will take place at 6:00 p.m. on Monday evening. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider a memorial to “St. Dominic Parish” or the “R.E.A.D. Association”.
Saginaw Township, Michigan
Our beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and brother, Murel J. “Jim” Kessler, passed away peacefully in the afternoon hours of Wednesday, April 20, 2022 at Covenant Health Care Harrison in Saginaw, Michigan. Age 90 years. Jim was born on January 21, 1932 in Henry Co., Ohio to the late Wilbur and Ruby Alice (Murdock) Kessler. Following high school, Jim went on to proudly serve his country as a member of the United State Marine Corps.; serving during the Korean War. On February 22, 1955 Jim married Lila Westendorf, and she preceded him in death in 1969. On June 6, 1970 Jim married his loving wife, Susan Platko, and she survives him. After over 44 years of service as a Conductor and Brakeman; Jim retired on September 30, 1999 from CSX Railroad. Jim was a faithful man; being a longtime member of St. Dominic Parish – SS. Peter and Paul Church. He was very active with the church; volunteering for various organizations. Jim was also a member of the Knights of Columbus Council #4232, R.E.A.D. Association, and the United Transportation Union. No one was ever a stranger to Jim. Wherever Jim and Sue went he was always making new friends; stirring up laughter and conversation. Jim had numerous joys in life, but nothing brought him more joy than helping others. He especially loved helping kids learn to read. Jim will be missed dearly by all, and his memories cherished forever.
Left to cherish his memories are his beloved wife, Susan Kessler; four children, Joel (Susan) Kessler of Micco, FL, Scott Kessler of Cottage Grove, OR, Lisa (Tom) Schroeder of Zilwaukee, MI, and Eric (Chris) Kessler of Portland, OR; six grandchildren, Leah (Michael), Joe, Jenni (Michael), Alex, Lindsay (Alan), and Michelle (Paul); several great-grandchildren; loving brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law; and many nieces and nephews. Jim is happily reunited with his daughter-in-law, Theresa Kessler; parents, Wilbur and Ruby Alice (Murdock) Kessler; siblings, Lavina (Harry) Norris, Clara (Robert) Gilgenbach, Geraldine (Mel) Dillon, and Robert (Mary Lou) Kessler; his first wife, Lila Westendorf; and father-in-law and mother-in-law, Michael and Mary Platko.
The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 26, 2022 at St. Dominic Parish – St. Stephen Catholic Church, 2711 Mackinaw St. Saginaw, MI 48602. Concelebrating will be Rev. Fr. Steven Gavit and Rev. Fr. John R. Johnson. Visitation will take place at The Snow Funeral Home, 3775 N. Center Rd. (Between Shattuck and McCarty) on Monday, April 25, 2022 from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., and at church on Tuesday, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of Mass. Immediately following Mass family and friends will travel in procession to St. Andrew Cemetery for Military Honors and the Rite of Committal. Military Honors will be conducted under the auspices of the United States Marine Corps. A Vigil Service will take place at 6:00 p.m. on Monday evening. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider a memorial to “St. Dominic Parish” or the “R.E.A.D. Association”.