CENTRALIA — Kristen Jean Kessler, 63, of Centralia, passed away Saturday, March 16, 2024, surrounded by her family.
She was born September 30, 1960 in Clayton, Missouri, daughter of Duane Keith Kessler and Mary Jo (Keen) Kessler.
In addition to her mother, Mary Jo Kessler of Centralia, Kristen is survived by her children, Travis (Carly) Holtkamp of Anna, Illinois, Jacob Holtkamp (Allie Zelinski) of O’Fallon, Illinois, and Abbey Jo Holtkamp of Centralia; one beloved grandson, Leonard Holtkamp; and she joyfully anticipated the arrival of two grandchildren this fall. She is also survived by two brothers, Keith (Cindy) Kessler of Centralia and Kendall (Valerie) Kessler of St. Louis, Missouri; nieces and nephews, Tripp Kessler (Sarah Pritchard) of St. Louis, Missouri, Clare Kessler of Centralia, Ali Kessler of Centralia, Harris Kessler of Fort Collins, Colorado, Molly Kessler of Fort Collins, Colorado, and Chloe Kessler of St. Louis, Missouri; aunts, Jean Brunson of Champaign, Illinois, and Marsha Kessler of Edwardsville, Illinois; and several cousins.
She was preceded in death by her father, Duane”Dewey” Kessler and her grandparents, Harry and Marie Keen and Oscar and Pauline Kessler.
Kristen was a devoted mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, and aunt, and she was adoringly referred to as “Kiki” by her family. She never missed any of her children’s games or activities as her children were her world! Kristen had a passion for sports and was an avid fan of the Centralia Orphans and Annies, SIU Salukis, the Fighting Illini, and the St. Louis Cardinals. Kristen was a 1978 graduate of Centralia High School. She then earned her bachelor’s degree at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, where she became a lifelong member of Alpha Gamma Delta sorority. She took great pride in her role as a secretary at Centralia High School where she dedicated her most recent years of service. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Centralia. She will be missed by all that knew her.
Funeral Services will be held Friday, March 22, 2024 at 1:00 PM at the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home in Centralia with Rev. Sidney Davis officiating. Visitation will be held Friday from 10:00 AM until the time of service at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Centralia. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Centralia High School Alumni Association Stained Glass Window Project or DaVita Dialysis of Centralia and will be accepted at the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home at 235 North Sycamore Street, Centralia, Illinois 62801, (618) 532-3523, who is honored to be of service to Kristen’s Family. Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting sutherlandfuneralhome.com and the Sutherland Funeral Homes Facebook page.