Wayne Anthony Kessler (81) of Noble

Wayne Anthony Kessler, age 81, of Noble, Illinois, passed away at 11:56 PM Friday, April 1, 2022, at his home.

Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10:00 AM Wednesday, April 6, 2022, at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Wendelin, Illinois, with Fr. Mark Stec celebrating mass. Burial will be in the Holy Cross Cemetery in Wendelin, Illinois with military rites by the Jasper Post #20 American Legion. Visitation will be held 5:00-7:00 PM Tuesday, April 5, 2022, at the church and 1 hour before the mass, also at the chuch. In loving memory of Wayne, memorials may be made to the Clay County Cancer Support Fund. Arrangements are under the care of the Meyer Funeral Home in Newton, Illinois. The obituary can be viewed and condolences left by clicking here.

Wayne was born on December 20, 1940, in Clay County, Illinois, the son of Melvin and Verneatha (Buerster) Kessler. He graduated from Clay City High School in 1960. Wayne served his country in the United States Army from November 5, 1960 to May 4, 1961. Wayne married Linda Bergbower on April 15, 1967, at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Newton, Illinois. Wayne was a lifelong farmer. He was a member of the Holy Cross Catholic Church and Knights of Columbus. He enjoyed trap shooting, quail and mushroom hunting, fishing, gardening and was avid card player, especially euchre.

Wayne is survived by: Wife of 54 years – Linda Kessler of Noble, Illinois; Mother – Verneatha Kessler of Olney, Illinois; Children – Phil Kessler of Ingraham, Illinois; Cheryl (Brian) Garrison of Louisville, Illinois and David Kessler of Montrose, Illinois; Grandchildren – Courtney (Dylan) Zacha of Wheeler, Illinois and Levi Garrison (fiancé Abby Savage) of Louisville, Illinois; Great Granddaughter – Olivia Zacha; Siblings – Dick (Shirley) Kessler of Noble, Illinois; Roxanne Ginder of Olney, Illinois; Steve (Carol) Kessler of Hoyleton, Illinois; Linda Wright of Bloomington, Illinois; Sam (Ruth) Kessler of Xenia, Illinois; Nancy VanBlaricum of Noble, Illinois and Cindy (Alan) Keeffe of Colorado Springs, Colorado; Sister-in-law – Connie (Larry) Brooks of Newton, Illinois; Brother-in-law – Fred (Barb) Bergbower of Newton, Illinois; and several nieces and nephews.

Wayne was preceded in death by his father, father-in-law and mother-in-law Frank X. and Ethelmaye Bergbower and brothers-in-law Herman Ginder, Steve VanBlaricum and Tim Bergbower, sister-in-law Linda F. Bergbower, and nephew Paul Bergbower.