Carolyn Jean Kessler (84) of Effingham, formerly of Mode

Carolyn Jean Kessler, 84, of Effingham, Illinois, formerly of Mode, Illinois, passed away at Lakeland Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center on Tuesday, June 21, 2022.

A Christian funeral will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church in Stewardson on Saturday, June 25, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. with burial in the Stewardson Cemetery. A visitation will be held at the church from 9:00 a.m.- 11:00 a.m. before the funeral service. Memorials may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church or School or to Community Support Services. The memorials may be mailed to 302 W Main St., Shelbyville, IL 62565. The family requests casual dress. Brummerstedt Funeral Home in Stewardson is assisting the family.

Carolyn was born on February 23, 1938, at home, in Mode. She was the daughter of Everett F. and Lydia L. (Wittenberg) Kessler. She was baptized at Trinity Lutheran Church, Stewardson and was confirmed in the EASTER class at St. John’s, Effingham. Carolyn grew up on the family dairy farm, helping with and milking the cows, helping tend to the gardens, and played with her sisters. When the sisters married and had babies, Carolyn could always be found cuddling and rocking one of her nephews or nieces to sleep. Later on, she moved into the Wetherell House in Effingham where she made new friends and formed a second family. She lived there for over 30 years and enjoyed it. She also attended the ARC Facility in Teutopolis, where she painted several wonderful pictures. She not only enjoyed painting but also embroidery, crossword puzzles, coloring, and crafts at ARC.

Carolyn is survived by her sisters: Joyce (Ray) Little of Shelbyville, Donna Bales and Kay Schultz of Stewardson and Kathy (Steve) Wyckoff of Mode; her nephews: Brian (Nola) Schultz of Stewardson and Ryan (Sarah) Wyckoff of Effingham; her nieces: Susan (James) Roley of Oklahoma, Janet (Jeff) Schultz of Stewardson, Joann (Dan) Sheehan of Neoga, Tricia (John) Patterson of Springfield, Katie (Jason) Durbin of Strasburg, Christy (Andrew) Goble of Stewardson and Jill (Jared) Sprau of Savoy.

She also is survived by many great and great-great nephews and nieces. Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents, Everett and Lydia Kessler; brothers-in-law: Billy Durbin, Melvin Jones and Ronald “Ron” Schultz and nephew, Allen Everett Bales.

Family and friends may light a candle or share a story by clicking here.