Edwin H Kessler

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, September 13, 2006 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Strasburg, Illinois with Pastor Steven Becker officiating. Visitation from 9:00 a.m. Wednesday until time of service in the church. Burial will be in St. Paul’s Cemetery in Strasburg, Illinois with military rites by the Strasburg American Legion Post #289. Howe & Yockey Funeral Home, Strasburg is in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be made to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Strasburg.

Mr. Kessler was born on February 9, 1934 in Stewardson, IL, the son of Oscar and Melva Moran Kessler. He served in the United States Army from 1954-1956 in Korea. He was the owner of AutoWorld which was formed in 1983. In 1993 he was honored by the Louisiana Independent Auto Dealers Association as the “1993 Louisiana Quality Dealer of the Year.” Ed Kessler was an active member of the Louisiana Independent Auto Dealers Association and served on the Public Relations Committee. He was also an active member of King of Kings Lutheran Church in Alexandria, LA and served as Head Elder. He married Bertha Lenz on November 27, 1952.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Bertha Kessler of Alexandria, LA; daughter, Debra Ortiz and husband Jim of Natchitoches, LA; son, Michael Kessler of Alexandria, LA; mother-in-law, Lillian Lenz of Strasburg; brothers, Keith Kessler and wife Lois of Pittsboro, IN and Kenneth Kessler and wife Marilyn of Stewardson, IL; sisters, Betty Ohnesorge and husband Gene of Stewardson, IL and Bonnie Apke and husband Laverne of Montrose IL; sister-in-law, Neva Hagan and husband Ken of Strasburg; and three grandchildren, Amy Lange and husband Ryan of New Orleans, LA, Ryan Ortiz of New Orleans, LA, and Joshua Steven Kessler and wife Rebekah of Pineville, LA.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and sister, Delores Jean Kessler.