William ‘Bill’ Kessler

William “Bill” Kessler, 87, of Creston died Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2018, at Clearview Home in Mount Ayr.

Celebration of life memorial services will be 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 3, at Powers Funeral Home, junction of highways 34 and 25, in Creston. The Rev. Mary O'Riley will officiate. Burial will be in Prairie Lawn Cemetery north of Creston with military rites by Theodore J. Martens, Creston VFW Post No. 1797. Open visitation with family present well be from 12:30 to 2 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials are to the family of Bill Kessler. Online condolences may be left at www.powersfh.com.

William “Bill” Ernest Kessler, son of Lillie Fern (Clark) Kessler and Edward Andrew Kessler, was born Dec. 9, 1930, in rural Creston. In 1949, he graduated from Creston High School.

Bill proudly served his country as a part of the United States Marine Corps from Nov. 30, 1951, to Nov. 10, 1953.

On Dec. 24, 1952, Bill married Doris Duben in Lanikai, Oahu, Hawaii. After the military, they settled on the farm and farmed with his family, moving to Creston in 1966. He began working for the city of Creston after retiring. Bill mowed, plowed gardens, did snow removal for the elderly and also sold Balloon Days memorabilia. In December 2016, he moved to Clearfield and later to Mount Ayr.

Bill was a member of Creston Elks Lodge, 45 year member of American Legion, Cozy Campers and was involved with South Side Boosters, helping with Christmas decorating at Rainbow Park. He also volunteered at Innovative Industries and was a Boy Scout and Girl Scout leader.

Bill is survived by his wife Doris Kessler of Mount Ayr; brother Dale Kessler of Creston; daughter-in-law Sharon Kessler of Creston; son-in-law Alan Smisek of Creston; four grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews and many friends.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, daughter Marlene Smisek in 2010 and son Marvin Kessler in 2016.