Margaret Ida Kessler
April 28, 1914 ~ December 9, 2007
Services:
A Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, December 13, 2007 at 11:00 AM in Hollywood Church of the Nazarene, 24710 Sotterley Road, Hollywood, MD 20636 with Rev. Verne Haskell officiating. Interment will follow in the Church Cemetery.
Visitation:
Viewing/Visitation will be held on Thursday, December 13, 2007 from 10:00 - 11:00 AM in Hollywood Church of the Nazarene, 24710 Sotterley Road, Hollywood, MD 20636.
Margaret Ida Lesher Kessler, 93, of St. Inigoes, MD died December 9, 2007 at her residence. Born April 28, 1914 in Pitman, PA she was the daughter of the late Henry H. and Mabel Gertrude Klinger Lesher. She was preceded in death by her 1st husband of 42 years Elwood W. Kessler, whom she married on August 1, 1931 and who died on December 6, 1973 and her 2nd husband of 20 years Paul E. Stauffer, Sr., whom she married on December 27, 1980 and who died on October 31, 2000. She was the loving mother of Leonard E. Kessler, Janice L. Cone and Marcia L. Takacs all of Lexington Park, MD, Alfred L. Kessler, Sr. of St. Inigoes, MD, Melva J. Williams of Lowman, NY and Marilyn L. Tourney of Cantonment, FL. She is survived by her brothers and sisters Pauline E. Herb and Jean Heim both of Pitman, PA, Ruth Chubb of New Cumberland, PA, Paul H. Lesher of Sacramento, PA, Anna Wiest of Klingerstown, PA and Henry H. Lesher of Elizabethville, PA as well as 25 grandchildren, 43 great-grandchildren and 8 great-great grandchildren. She was also preceded in death by her children Ella Mae Whiting and Arlin E. Kessler and her brothers and sisters Marlin, Glennen, Vernon and Mary Lesher, Minnie Kessler, and one grandson, David E. Whiting. Mrs. Kessler was a longtime active member of the Hollywood Church of the Nazarene since 1962, serving in many capacities over the years. Margaret and Elwood Kessler served with the Salvation Army in Lexington Park, MD for over 20 years. She was an avid gardener and loved to crochet and have her family gatherings and cook large family meals. She maintained a long tradition of holding annual family reunions with nearly 100 in attendance. The family will receive friends at the Hollywood Church of the Nazarene on Thursday, December 13, 2007 from 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM with a funeral service following at 11:00 AM with Pastor Verne Haskell officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Contributions may be made to the Kings Christian Academy, 20738 Point Lookout Road, Callaway, MD 20620 and/or Hollywood Church of the Nazarene, 24710 Sotterley Road, Hollywood, Maryland 20636. Arrangements provided by the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, P.A.
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“Kessler family , Your in my prayers”
“Al & the Kessler Family, Our thoughts and prayers are with you. “
“To Marilyn and family: How blessed you are to have such warm, loving memories to cherish. You are in my prayers.”
“Our deepest sympathy and love.”
“Our thoughts and prayers are with you.”
“To the Kessler Family, Your Mom will be greatly missed, she was a special lady and her gentle smile just made our day!! Our Thoughts and Prayers are with you. “
“Kessler family, I will miss my sister very much and i want to thank them all for the wonderful care she got. I love you all.Ruth”
“Melva and the Kessler family, Our prayers are with your family in this time of loss. I know that you know mom is at rest and peace now and that she wants you to have that peace as well. Remember the wonderful times you had with Mom and that you will see her again. The Waverly Alliance church family stands with you in these difficult days. Larry and Valerie Day”
“Melva and the Kessler family, Our prayers are with your family in these difficult days. I know that you know your Mom is at peace and she wants that peace to be yours as well. Remember the wonderful times you had with Mom and that you will see her again. The Waverly Alliance family stands with you in your loss. Larry and Valerie Day”
“Our condolences to the entire Kessler Family. Margaret was the sweetest woman you could meet. We loved her and will miss her dearly. “
“My thoughts and prayers are with you.”
“Although we can’t be there with you,we want you to know that the family is in our constant thoughts and prayers. I am so glad I got to spend those two days reminiscing and laughing about the old days at home. My sister will be dearly missed by all. With love, Paul and Arlene Lesher and family.”
“To Marilyn Tourney and family, I would like to take this opportunity to send you my sincere condolences on the lost of your mother. There’s nothing more special than a mother’s love. Remember all the good times and her spirit will remain with you always. Be blessed and “you’re in my prayers””
“To all of my Aunt Margaret’s family, we would like to extend our heart-felt sympathy. If I could describe Aunt Margaret in one word, it would be “gentle.” It is only fitting that this gentle woman should slip from this life in her sleep. We will miss Margaret, and want her family to know they are, each one, in our thoughts and prayers. God Bless and Keep You. The daughter and son-in-law of Margaret’s sister, Jean Heim.”
“On behalf of my mom, Jean Heim, Margaret’s younger sister and the entire family I would like to express our condolences to all of you. You can be so proud of who she was and what she stood for. She has passed on to all of you a legacy and heritage that is so special. We will miss seeing her at the Lesher reunion, which she was so faithful in attending dispite the distance she had to travel. Our Love and Prayers are with all of you. God Bless!”
“We were deeply sadden to here the passing of our beloved sister. We send our sincere heart-felt sympathy and prayers to you and all of Margaret’s family.”
“To all the Kessler family, May warm memories be with you and bring you comfort. My prayers are with you and your family, I hope your sorrow is soon eased. With Deepest Sympathy.”
“Be aware that all of Margeret’s extended family, grieve with you in your time of loss. Because she was an institution at the Lesher reunion, we sadly relinquish her presence there so that she may enjoy her eternal reward. To all who remain we send our prayers and condolences.”
“Though I only Mrs. Kessler a few years, she was a wonderful lady with a twinkle in her eye and a love for the Lord.”