Gene E. Kessinger

Tuesday, January 15, 2019

4:00 to 8:00 pm

Meridith Funeral Home, Highland, IL

and

Wednesday, January 16

10:00 to 11:00 am

Marine United Church of Christ, Marine, IL.

Wednesday, January 16, 2019

11:00 am

Marine United Church of Christ, Marine, IL

Gene E. Kessinger, 74, of Marine, IL, died Saturday, January 12, 2019, at Anderson Hospital, Maryville, IL, with his family at his side.

Gene was born November 28, 1944, to Clifford and Laura (nee Arnold) Kessinger in Mulberry Grove, IL.   On July 30, 1966, he married Joan Prott at the Marine United Church of Christ, Marine, IL.

He was a member of Marine United Church of Christ, a past member of the Silver Creek Coon Hunters, a member of VFW Post 5694 of Highland, and a Veteran of the Korean War.

Gene loved his family and was especially protective of his grandchildren. He coached his boys’ Khoury League in their youth.  He enjoyed camping, especially going to Lake Egypt and having all the family there.  When he was younger, Gene would hunt pheasants and antelope. He loved his coon dogs (all the way up to lap dogs) and enjoyed running them for hunting.  He was an avid St. Louis Cardinals and St. Louis Blues fan.

He is survived by his wife, Joan Kessinger; children, Dana M. (John) Niehaus, Douglas G. (Stefanie) Kessinger, Daren G. (Amy) Kessinger; grandchildren, Allisen Niehaus, Aaren Niehaus, Austen Niehaus, Drennen Kessinger, Macey Kessinger, Trenten Kessinger, Malorey Kessinger; brother, Billie L. (Sharon) Kessinger; sister, Laura Louise Gregory; sister-in-law, Karen (Joe) Schultze; Nieces, Tina (Walter) Schilling, Lisa (David) Pelligren, Susan Phelps, Kimberly Dyer, Sheri (Jim) Eveland, Tiffany (Victor) Duncan; nephew, John Gregory; nephew-in-law, Lonnie Meier.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Clifford and Laura Kessinger; niece, Gail Meier; mother and father-in-law, Eldon & Leona Prott; brothers-in-law, Bud Gregory, Larry Prott; sisters-in-law, Dede Prott, Judy Prott. .

Memorials may be made to the Marine United Church of Christ or VITAS Hospice.

Visitation:  Tuesday, January 15, 2019, from 4:00 to 8:00 pm at Meridith Funeral Home, Highland, IL, and Wednesday, January 16, from 10:00 to 11:00 am, at the Marine United Church of Christ, Marine, IL.

Funeral Service:  Wednesday, January 16, 2019, 11:00 am, at Marine United Church of Christ, Marine, IL.

Clergy:  Rev. Phil Kershner

Interment:  Marine City Cemetery, with full Military Honors

Meridith Funeral Home, Highland, IL.