Ronald E. Kessler (Bolivar)'s Obituary
Ronald E. Kessler, 70, of Morrisville, went to be with the Lord on January 29, 2016, after a six-
month battle with lung cancer. He was born on February 15, 1945, in Brighton, MO, the son of
Henry Land and Margrete Earls Kessler. He was raised on the family farm and attended Pleasant
View and Pleasant Hope schools. Through the work on the family farm he learned and valued
the hard work it took to succeed in life.
In 1967, Ron was drafted into the U.S. Army and spent one year serving our country in the
Vietnam War. He was an equipment operator in the Engineers and received an honorable
discharge as a Specialist E-5. Serving his country was something he was proud of and he made
it his mission to instill patriotism in his children. He always flew a flag in his front yard.
Ron was united in marriage to Nina Jean Reeves on August 31, 1970. They recently celebrated
their 45th wedding anniversary in October, 2015. During their marriage they were blessed with
three children: Donnie Gene, Dustin lee, and Melinda lea. Donnie was born with cerebral palsy
and passed away in 1998. Dustin is a middle school math teacher for the Humansville R-IV
School District and the Board President for the Morrisville Fire Protection District. Melinda is a
CNA at Ash Grove Health Care Facility. Ron was very proud of the accomplishments his children
have made with their lives.
Shortly before Ron and Nina's marriage, Ron began a 45-year long career as a professional truck
driver. He began his career working with his brother, Roscoe, hauling produce. After their
marriage, Ron began working with his father-in-law, Melvin Bell, as a livestock hauler. He was a
livestock hauler for 27 years working for Strafford Brothers livestock, Carl Watson, and Bob
Gammon Cattle Company. In December, 1997, Ron began working for Milky Way Transport as
a tanker driver hauling bulk liquids. He worked with Milky Way until his diagnosis of lung
cancer, which he found on their 45th anniversary in August, 2015.
Ron is preceded in death by his parents, Henry Land Margrete Kessler; three brothers, Roy,
Roscoe, and Rex; and a son, Donnie. He is survived by his wife, Nina, of the home; a son,
Dustin, of Morrisville; a daughter, Melinda, and granddaughter Jordan, of Walnut Grove; four
brothers, Robert of Webb City; Russell and Sue, of Brighton; and Ruben and Carole, of Brighton;
and Rickey, of Pleasant Hope; and two sisters, Rose and Don Ashley, of Pleasant Hope; and
Roberta and Mark Nash, of Strafford. He also has numerous other family members and an
abundant host of friends.
Ron's motto that he always lived by was "always help others so they are able to help
themselves."
To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Ronald Ellis Kessler please visit our Sympathy Store.
What’s your fondest memory of Ronald?
What’s a lesson you learned from Ronald?
Share a story where Ronald's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Ronald you’ll never forget.
How did Ronald make you smile?
