Kessel, Charles Enoch ""CE"

Passed: 2006-06-22

Age: 85

Source: Charleston Daily Mail

Death Notice:

Obituary Date: 2006-06-24

Information:     Charles Enoch ""CE"" Kessel, 85, of Ripley, died June 22, 2006, at Jackson General Hospital following an extended illness.  C.E. was born in Philadelphia, Pa., son of the late Dr. Charles Royal and Ruby Staats Kessel.  He was a graduate of Ripley High School and attended West Virginia University in Morgantown.  His family had the Kessel Emergency Hospital that is currently the site of Parsons-Waybright Funeral Home.  In the spring of 1950 his family built the Kessel Clinic on North Church Street beside Epworth Methodist Church.  His father continued his practice there until his death and it continued under his brother, Dr. James Kessel, until his death in the early 90's. The building currently houses the Jackson Herald Newspaper.  C.E. lived in a home on Highlawn Drive that was built from timber harvested from the family farm on Parchment Valley.  In 1957, C.E. was elected Jackson County Clerk.  He served continuously in that post until 1982, overseeing many positive changes in the local election process.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 51 years, Martena Patterson Kessel and a borther, Dr. James S. Kessel.  C.E. is survived by a son, Dr. Dan W. Kessel of Alto, Texas; and a daughter, Loretta Marie Kessel Mason of Roanoke, Va.  He is also survived by a sister, Betty Louise Kessel McLaughlin of Pittsburgh, Pa.  He has eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.  A memorial service is set for Sunday, June 25, at 1 p.m. at the Parsons-Waybright Funeral Home, Ripley, with Dr. Ken Krimmel officiating.