Kessel, Oliver Dennis, Judge

Passed: 1992-11-05

Age: 91

Source: Jackson Herald

Death Notice:

Obituary Date: 1992-11-08

Information:      Judge Oliver Dennis Kessel, 91, of Ripley, died November 5, at Jackson General Hospital, from a sudden illness.  He was born January 12, 1901, at Given, WV, a son of the late Edward Dennis and Ellen Corbin Kessel.  He was Judge of the Fifth Judicial Circuit from 1956 to 1972.  He was a Judge of the Supreme Court of Appeals in West Virginia, June through December, 1972.  He was a member of the American Bar Association, West Virginia Bar Association, and the Jackson County Bar Association.  He served as Jackson County Prosecuting Attorney, and served as Mayor of Ripley for one term.  He was a member of the United Bank Shares Board of Directors, Chairman of the United Bank of Ripley Advisory Board, member of the Jackson General Hospital Board of Directors, member of the Jackson County Development Auhority, member of the Mystic Shrine Beni Kedem of Charleson,  a fifty year member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity, West Virginia Uniiversity Emeritus Club, member of the Rotary Club, and Paul Harrs Fellow, Jackson County Historical Society, Ripley High School Alumni Assocation, and a member of the Epworth United Methodist Church.  He was a recipient of the Jackson County Dsitinguished Community Service Award.  He was a practicing attorney in Ripley for 64 years.  He graduated from Morgantown High School, West Virginia University, West Virginia College of Law in 1928, and served on the Jackson County Selective Service System Board for 25 years.  Surviving; three daughters, Elaine Stone of Ripley, Sandra Rowley of Santa Fa, New Mexico and Ella Dee Caperton of Switzerland; two brothers , Charles Vaughn Kessel of Union, West Virginia and Troy Kessel of Charleston; three sisters, Faith Frye of Dunbar, Jane Lathey of Given and Marie Casto of Dunbar; eight grandchildren; and ten great-grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his wife, Katharyn Hartman ""Katie"" Kessel.  Service will be 11 a.m. Monday att the Epworth United Methodist Church, Ripley, with the Rev. Charles Echols officiating.  Burial will be at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Given.  Friends may call at Parsons Funeral Home, Sunday from 2-4 and 7-9.