Ada Florence Kessler, 86, of Winona Lake, met her Saviour at 2:25 p.m., June 14, 2010, in Grace Village Health Care, Winona Lake.
She was born Feb. 9, 1924, in Sangamon County, Ill., the seventh of 11 children of Gussie Earl and Emma Ruth Danks Edwards. On Aug. 21, 1943, she married Robert L. Kessler, who survives.
Early in her marriage, as a young wartime bride to Robert, who was deployed on active duty in the U.S. Navy, she graduated from beauty school and worked as a beauty operator until she followed God's call, along with her husband, to full-time Christian ministry, first as a rural missionary and Bible story teacher to young children in the Ozarks from 1953-59; later as head cook for a Christian camp directed by her husband in Springfield, Mo., from 1960-63; and lastly, as a pastor's wife of two churches, the Community Church, Houstonia, Mo., from 1963-87, and the Community Church, Sedalia, Mo, from 1968-2003. In 2004 she and her husband moved to Winona Lake to live close to family.
Her life was a blessing to her family and all who knew her, as she freely showed love to anyone who came across her path. She was known to be first to offer a meal and a listening ear to anyone in need. Her home was always open for missionaries and friends passing through. She loved to entertain and was known for her gift of gracious hospitality.
She will be lovingly remembered by her husband of 66 years, the Rev. Robert Kessler, Winona Lake; two sons, James (and spouse Susanne) Kessler, Winona Lake, and Timothy (and spouse Paula) Kessler, Kansas City, Mo.; six grandchildren: Kimberly (and spouse Chris) Dawson, Warsaw; Sarah (and spouse Christian) McCray, Jennifer (and spouse Jarrod) Lovette and Janelle (and spouse Doug) Meyer, all of Winona Lake; Travis (and spouse Jennifer) Kessler, Liberty, Mo.; Heath (and spouse Carolyn) McCurdy, Aiken, S.C.; 11 great-grandchildren: Lynae, Kyle, Whitney and Wyatt Dawson, all of Warsaw; Claudia, Kendall and Cohen McCray and Jada Lovette, all of Winona Lake; Isabella and Daniel Kessler, Liberty; and Caiden McCurdy, Aiken, S.C.; a sister, Gladys Shipman, Loami, Ill.; two brothers, Dean Edwards, Rochester, Ill., and Franklin (and spouse Celeste) Edwards, Rantoul, Ill.; and a brother-in-law, Loren "Bud" Dodd, Loami, Ill. She was preceded in death by her parents; her three brothers, John, Adrian and Earl Charles Edwards; and four sisters, Thelma Funderburk, Elsie Grant, Beulah Edwards and Fern Dodd.
A memorial service will be at 3 p.m. Saturday at Winona Lake Grace Brethren Church, 1200 Kings Highway, Winona Lake, officiated by Pastor Bruce Barlow, assisted by Pastor Tom Miller.
Calling is from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday at the church.
Titus Funeral Home, Warsaw, is in charge of arrangements.
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Memorials may be made to Grace College Men's Basketball designated for mission trips, 200 Seminary Drive, Winona Lake, IN 46590.
