Trending
Francis J. "Benny" Kessler, 92, of Mechanicsburg, passed away July 25, 2025. The son of Frank J. "Ben" Kessler and M. Pauline (McNelis) Kessler, Ben was born in Altoona on Jan. 1, 1933.
Ben was preceded in death by his wife, M. Constance "Connie" (Nagle) Kessler; brother, Walter "Wally" Kessler; and sisters, Faith Ann Kessler and Mary Jo Thompson.
Ben is survived by his daughter, Susan Snare and husband, Mike of Dillsburg; son, Shawn Kessler of Mechanicsburg; daughter Paulette Kessler of Mechanicsburg; daughter, Teresa Brooks and husband,
Clarence Jr. of Enola; daughter, Jennifer Shope of Mechanicsburg, and son, Frank Kessler and wife, Linda of White Oak; 16 grandchildren: Dustin Steele, Tiffany (Steele) Lewis, Matthew Steele, Keegan Steele, George Beaver, Derek Kessler, Devin Kessler, Maddie Snare, Olivia Snare, Chad Brooks, Ashley (Brooks) Kline, Cassaundra (Shope) Kohr, Emily Shope, Mitchell Buffington, Benjamin Kessler, Ava Kessler; 23 great-grandchildren: Willa Kuykendall and Kylo Wren, MacKenzie and Cullin Kessler, Rylie, Faith and Ethan Kessler, Kyle and Samuel Steele, Miles, Sloane and Jude Lewis, Kenneth and Lily Steele, Zoey, Izabel, Kaido and Boaz Steele, Wren and Cohen Brooks, Delilah and Daniel Kline and Jaycee Kohr.
After graduating from Ebensburg Cambria High School in 1950, he joined the United States Air Force. Ben was a member of the 548th Recon Tech Squadron while serving in Japan. Ben graduated from Kent State University in 1960. He had a 32-year career as a photogrammetrist in PennDOT's mapmaking division, retiring in October 1991. Ben and Connie were married Sept. 13, 1958, at St. Augustine Catholic Church, Dysart. Ben was deeply devoted to his wife, Connie and children. They moved to Mechanicsburg in 1965 and shared many happy years together raising their family, going to the beach and traveling. Ben and Connie were longtime members of Christ Community Church in Camp Hill and for years held Bible studies at their home with many beloved friends. Ben was also a member of Full Gospel Businessmen Fellowship America. One of Ben's greatest pleasures was interacting with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Ben loved all things sports and spent 20 years managing in the Upper Allen Township Baseball Association. If the Pittsburgh Pirates and Steelers were in action, you can bet Ben was paying attention. Ben was a lifetime member of VFW Post 4963 in Ebensburg, and American Legion Post 363 in Ebensburg. Ben will be missed by all who knew him for the kind, loving person he was.
Friends will be received from 10 a.m. until the 11:30 a.m. Celebration of Life service on Thursday, July 31, 2025, at Christ Community Church, 1201 Slate Hill Road, Camp Hill. Burial will take place privately at St. Augustine Cemetery, Dysart.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Christ Community Church, 1201 Slate Hill Road, Camp Hill, PA 17011.
To sign the online guest book, please visit www.malpezzifuneralhome.com.