John A. Kessler, 82

John A. Kessler, 82, passed away March 31, 2011, of natural causes.

John was born Sept. 10, 1928, in Kansas City, Mo. When John was 12, his parents, Carl and Ida Kessler, moved to Colorado where they lived on a dude ranch. John spent most of his childhood out of the comforts of his home where he lived and worked on ranches.

John joined the U.S. Air Force and was stationed in Alaska. In just four short years he was promoted to the rank of staff sergeant.

John also had a distinguished 35 years with the U.S. Forest Service. Among many of his awards, he was recognized for his firefighting leadership and skills. He served notably as sector boss on the upper division of the fire assigned to him in the mountains of Idaho. His sector was on a very steep and difficult terrain. John demonstrated a great grasp of fire control methods in controlling and safely holding the fire line he was responsible for, so read his commendation.

John loved poetry, music, horses, participating in the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion, and, most of all, his family. John's favorite musical instrument was the trumpet. John played the trumpet for the military and other activities. John will not be missed for playing the trumpet at 5 a.m. on cold Montana mornings to wake up his eight children.

John is missed and survived by many, including his brother, Buck, and wife Wilma Kessler; sister, Anna Marie, and husband, Russell Johnson, of Georgetown, Idaho; and eight children, Bryan Kessler of Laurel, Kevin and Kimberly Kessler of King City, Calif., Sherry and Russell Dohr of Kalispell, Sheryl Ruggles of Kalispell, Mark Kessler of Park City, Kent and Julia Kessler of Childress, Texas, Kay and Bobby Raymond of Columbia Falls, and Cindy Kessler of Kalispell.

His grandchildren include: Jackie Ruggles of Laurel, Wendy Story of Kalispell, Brittney, Courtney and Nick Licht, and Joshua Dohr, all of Kalispell; Bobby Ann and Colby Nash, Stephanie, Rebecca, Tianna and Nicholas, all of Columbia Falls; Kasia, Rachel, Johnathan, Hannah, and David Kessler of Childress, Texas; Donna Kessler of Kalispell; Cora of Brazil; Moriah of Provo, Utah; and Jacob Kessler of King City, Calif.

His great-grandchildren include: Athena and Aidian Storey of Kalispell; Destinee, Aaven Cole Kessler of Kalispell; and Ethan Licht of Kalispell.

John will be remembered most for service to his family, church, and community. He was perfectly honest and trustworthy, and he had integrity. He taught his entire family how to live a life filled with integrity and uprightness. "John did not die, as he was prepared to meet God. We know he lives and loves us very much, and we can be a family together united forever one day."

There will be a viewing from 4 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 5, 2011, at Buffalo Hill Funeral Home in Kalispell.

An open casket service will be held at noon on Wednesday, April 6, 2011, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Kalispell with Bishop Wendling officiating. Burial will follow at Glacier Memorial Gardens.

Friends may visit www.buffalohillfh.com to leave notes of condolences for the family. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home caring for the family.