James Kesler

James Elbert Kesler Mr. James Elbert Kesler, 86, retired employee of Central Illinois Public Service Company and resident of Poplar Estates, died Monday, January 19, 2004, at Life Care Center. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Thursday at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home with Ted Burleson officiating. The family will visit with friends Wednesday from 4 - 7 p.m. at the funeral home. Interment will be at 1 p.m. Friday in Lawrenceville Cemetery in Lawrenceville, Illinois. Memorials may be made to West Seventh Street Church of Christ, 405 West Seventh Street, Columbia, TN 38401 or Columbia Academy, 1101 West Seventh Street, Columbia, TN 38401. Notes of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.oakesandnichols.com. The Olney, Illinois, native was the son of the late Elbert L. Kesler and Sarah Price Kesler. He was married to Mary Elizabeth Montgomery Kesler who preceded him in death on March 18, 2003. Mr. Kesler was a member of West Seventh Street Church of Christ and a longtime member of the Kiwanis Club. Survivors include two sons, Michael (Glenda) Kesler of Columbia; Patrick (Sharon) Kesler of Springfield, Illinois; five grandchildren, Debbie (Jeff) Hofbauer of Murfreesboro; Jan (David) Thomas of Columbia; Jill (Bryan) Shephard of Canton, Ohio; Kim (Ryan) Pierce of Streator, Illinois; John Kesler of Springfield, Illinois; and ten great grandchildren.