John R. Kessler
February 20, 1939 ~ June 21, 2014
SERVICES: A Celebration of John's Life will take place 2:30 p.m. Saturday, June 21, 2014 at First United Methodist located at 618 8th St. Columbus. OFFICIATING: Pastor Chris Lance, Rev. David Burnett and Rev. Tony McClendon. VISITATION: 2:00 till service time. MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS: In Lieu of Flowers the family requests East Athletic Track team, Our Hospice of South Central Indiana, Mill Race Center or Charity of the Donors choice. John R. Kessler, 75, of Beech Dr, died at 3:45 p.m.June 15 at Our Hospice of South Central Indiana Inpatient Facility. John was born February 20, 1939 in Evansville, Indiana, the son of Russell E. and Nadene Taylor Kessler. He married Nancy Phillips September 1, 1963. John graduated from Tell City High School. He attended Indiana University and then transferred to Indiana State University in Terre Haute where he completed his education in 1963. John always taught in the high school science department beginning his career at Tell City High School for two years. He then moved to Miami Norland High School in Miami, Florida where he taught for eight years. The remainder of his teaching career was at Columbus East High School, where he retired from. Upon retirement, John re-entered teaching at North High School and Hope Elementary along with Ivy Tech North Vernon and Columbus Campuses. John was a high school sports athletic coach for 50 years coaching at Columbus East, Columbus North and Hauser High Schools. He was an assistant football coach at East, an assistant boys and girls basketball coach at both East and Hauser, the wrestling assistant coach at East, gymnastics assistant coach at east, boys and girls head tennnis coach as well as assistant coach at East, the Columbus East track hurdle coach and the diving coach at both Columbus East and North High Schools. John was a member of First United Methodist Church. He loved gardening and spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Survivors include his wife; son, Todd A. (Sharon) Kessler of Taylorsville, IN; daughter, Angela L. (Greg) Potts of Hope; brother, Alan (Donna) Kessler of Tell City; grandchildren, Megan (Robbie) Sessions, Anna Land, Zachary Land, Stacy Land, Trevor Potts, Adam Kessler, Tyler Kessler, Trace Kessler, Christian Kessler, Ella Grace Kessler; and great-grandchildren, Rylan Sessions, Rebeckah Sessions, Brody Sessions and Noah Shipley. He was preceded in death by his parents.
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My deepest sympathies go out to Mr.Kessler’s family.. He was my home room teacher back in 1980 and i just loved that man.. Lots of laughs to start our day with. So sorry to hear of his passing..
This makes me so sad. What a great man and teacher he was. He’s the one I always think of when someone asks “who was your favorite teacher” or “which teacher made the greatest impact in your life?”.
John was a great guy and someone who put his feet to the pavement for kids, he will be missed by so many. We are so sorry for your loss.
My all time favorite teacher. I still remember his crazy stories. He made a point to take time to really get to know each student on a personal level. He had a great impact on my life. So sorry to hear of his passing.
Mr. Kessler was a wonderful man and the embodiment of patience and love. We will miss him dearly.
Mr. Kessler was not only my high school Biology teacher, he also became a good friend in the last few years as I got to know him as an adult. What a wonderful man and a great teacher who truly cared about his students and their lives. Blessings to his family during this difficult time. I know he will be missed by many.
‘Mr Kessler’ as I will always known him was my tennis coach at East. He made tennis fun. I remember meeting him with a few students/tennis fans at Donner Park for a trip to the US Clay Court Championships in Indianapolis I believe the first season the tournament was there. My love of tennis was sealed through his coaching, encouragement and love of the sport. I still play. RIP ‘Mr Kessler’. My condolences to his family.
John was a great friend/mentor. I was always grateful for all the help he provided for the Track team. He was a great man and the students and athletes responded so well to him. His dedication and commitment were exemplary. He was an incredible resource to the community as a whole! A great loss. I hope to carry the lessons I learned from Kess to those student-athletes I have the privilege to work with! My sympathies to Nancy, the family, and to the whole community of Columbus.
Kess was one of my favorite teachers at CEHS. I know there are generations that learned a great deal of science from him. Makes me feel bad for the kids of today that aren’t learning from him. Rest well John Kessler!
I was not one of Mr. Kessler’s students but I did have the opportunity to somewhat work with him. He was such an amazing man. I like many others will miss him dearly! Nancy, you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
My memories of biology class and the personal interest he took in all of his students is something I have and will always treasure. Thank you Mr. Kessler for sharing a little piece of yourself with each of your students.
We lost a great teacher on Sunday one of the best
Out of all the teachers I had Mr Kessler was by far one of my favorites. I had him for Biology not once but twice. To have the patience for someone like me, made teach an incredible person! I wish more teachers were like him! He will be greatly missed!
My thoughts and prayers are with the family. John was an awesome person. I met him at mill race center. He will be missed by so many of us.God bless everyone.
It was such an honor to be able to run for Coach Kessler. He not only motivated me to be better on the track, but also helped me become the person I am today. He will truly be missed.
I had the honor to coach with Kess at East. A warm, funny guy who demanded the best from his kids, yet got respect and effort due to his caring ways. I became the coach I was in part because I worked with him. God take care of him and bless your family.
I played football for Coulumbus East ’72 – ’75. Mr Kessler was a great coach and teacher. Our thoughts and prayers with the entire family at this difficult time. May he rest in peace.
Mr. Kessler was the best science teacher I ever had. He made class fun and interesting. I am sending kind and loving thoughts to all of his family and friends as they remember the life of this great man.
Prayers for everyone.
I am so sorry for your loss. Mr. Kessler was a great teacher. I have found memories of him at Columbus East.
Dana & Susan Hopkins has sent this Expressions of Sympathy card.
Nancy, Angela & Todd, May the days ahead be filled with hugs, love & comfort from friends and family ad you remember, honor & celebrate this wonderful man who was husband & Dad to you. I think I know how to pray for you after losing my own Dad a month ago. Please know that I am asking God to provide whatever you need in every moment of your day to help you through. He was one of the best male role models in my life and I will miss him. Thank you for sharing your lives with us Clarks.
So sorry to hear about your loss. Thoughts & prayers are with you!
Our thoughts and prayers are with your family. Coach Kessler will be missed by all who had the honor to know him. Scott, Sheila, and Brooklyn
We will all miss you
John was so loved and will be missed by every life he touched. Always the first to offer kind words and encouragement.. Love and prayers to the family. I’m so sorry for this loss, please let me & my family know if we can do anything, love you all!!
Nancy and Family, We are saddened by the passing of Kess. He was one of a kind and always had his students’/athletes’ welfare in his heart. One could always depend on John for anything one needed. We will miss him and the love he had for his “kids.” We keep all of you in our thoughts and prayers.
I am very sorry for your loss. You have my sincere condolences. This is a great loss for many people as Mr. Kessler touched the lives and hearts of many people. Mr. Kessler was always a kind and inspirational person and teacher who helped many of his students, myself included, to become better people and to achieve more than they ever thought they could ever attain. I will keep the Kessler family in my prayers. God Bless.
Mr. Kessler will be greatly missed by many! He was a great teacher and really cared for his students! He was my favorite teacher and I felt like I had a second dad at school watching out for me. This world has lost a very loving person in John Kessler Heaven gained another angel!
Mr Kessler was a great person and a teacher of mine at CEHS. My thoughts and prayers are with the entire family at this difficult time. May he rest in peace.
Angela, We are so sorry to hear of the loss of your father. May His peace be ever so present for you and your family during this time of great loss. Blessings! Julie & John Dayton
John was a great teacher and coach. He was an even better man. Best wishes John on your journey.
Coach Kessler was a great coach and a great motivator. Hebis one of the reason I became the women I am today. He will be missed.
Nancy and family, Mr. Kessler was a great science teacher and friend to all his students. I was so sad to hear of his passing. He will be missed by many and your family will be in our thoughts and prayers as you go through this time of mourning. My condolence to you all.
I am very sorry to hear of Mr. Kessler’s passing. It was definitely a shock to me. I didn’t really have him as a teacher, but I’ve been around him quite a bit. It seemed like he was involved with pretty much everything. I remember him being the announcer for band contests, as I was in marching band and could always hear his voice before the contest started. He was such a very kind person, and he will truly be missed. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family. God bless you all.
Like hundreds of others in Columbus, I considered John to be a friend. He always called me by name whenever we would meet, and he was always smiling.I go back to the days of the Campus Life meetings when the Kessler home was frequently the site of weekly meetings. John and Nancy were the perfect backdrop for our goal to share the love of Christ for one another. John leaves quite a legacy, having touched the lives of hundreds both personally and professionally. Sorry I cannot make the visitation or the service. Officiating a wedding at that time.
Mr. K you will be missed by many people. You were not only a great teacher but a caring one!
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