Kessel, Louisa

Passed: 1969-09-29

Age: 100

Source: Jackson Herald

Death Notice:

Obituary Date: 1969-10-03

Information: DEATH CAME MONDAY TO AUNT LOUISA KESSEL - Mrs. Louisa Kessel, one of Jackson County's oldest residents, died Monday in the Hillview Convalescent Home at Huntington at the age of 100.  ""Aunt Louisa"" as she was well known, was born in Meigs county, Ohio, near Harrisonville on June 27, 1869, the daugher ofll and Maurice French.  She moved to the Long Hollow section of Jackson County at the age of 12 with her mother and her brother, Osmer French.  Her father died when she was an infant.  When she was 19 years old she married C. R. Kessel, now deceased, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Kessel of Parchment.  They were married on horseback.  The C. R. Kessel family resided at their farm at Pleasant Hill until 1915 when they moved to Ripley.  Mrs. Kessel was a past worthy matron of the Eastern Star, and also was active in the American Legion Auxiliary.  She was a member of the Women's Society of Christian Service of the Methodist Church and for many years taught Sunday School classes. One of her primary interests was urging young people to further their education.  She had been in excellent health until last spring.  Mrs. Kessel was the mother of three sons, all doctors, Dr. Russel Kessel of Charleston, her only immediate survivor, Dr. Ray Kessel and Dr. C. Royal Kessel, both deceased.  Her eight grandchildren include:  Mrs. Willis Burdette (Katy), Dr. Ray Miller Kessel, both of Logan, and Miss Jerry Kessel of Charleston, children of Dr. Ray and Kate Miller Kessel; C. E. Kessel and Dr. James Kessel, both of Ripley, and Mrs. Hugh McLaughlin (Betty) of Pittsburgh, children of the late Dr. Roy and Ruby Staats Kessel: and Mrs. Jenny Melton of Charleston and Mrs.James Hughes (Polly) of Ripley, daughters of Dr. Russel and Pauline Miller Kessel.  Mrs. Kessel had 20 great-grandchildren.  Funeral services were scheduled at 2:30 p.m. today (Wednesday) at the Epworth United Methodist Church in Ripley with burial in the Pine Hill Cemetery.  Parsons Funeral Home, Ripley, is in charge of arrangements.