Melvin H. Kessen 96, of Aurora, Indiana, passed away to his eternal reward, Thursday, October 3, 2019 in Aurora, Indiana.
He was born November 18, 1922 in Celina, OH, son of the late George B Kessen and Lulu (Dock) Kessen.
He served his country during WW2, following General Patton, as a member of the United States Army AirCorp, 71st Fighter Wing. He was awarded 5 battle stars while in the European Theater of Operation: Air Offensive/Europe; Normandy; Rineland/Germany; Northern France and Central Europe. He received the Army Good Conduct Medal, Europe-Africa-Middle East (EAME) Medal with 5 battle stars; American Theater Medal, Occupation of Germany Medal, World War 2 Victory Medal and the Honorable Discharge Pin. He was also awarded the Sharpshooter Rifleman’s Badge for the M-1 and 30 Caliber rifle.
Melvin received a Bachelor’s Degree in Bible & Theology, from God’s Bible School and College in Cincinnati where he attended school from Sept. 1949 through May 1954. He also received a Stationary Engineer’s License, 3rd class, from the State of Ohio for stationary steam engines & boilers.
He met his wife Doris (Wiegman) at God’s Bible School and they married in 1953. They had 61 happy years together. He worked at God’s Bible School for 17 years as their boiler room engineer, and during the summer he would work in the boiler room at the Cincinnati YMCA and the Cincinnati Music Hall. He then went to work for and retired from Novamont in Florence, Ky.
In his early years Melvin enjoyed singing with school ensembles, duck and rabbit hunting, as well as ice skating on Grand Lake St. Mary’s in Celina. He enjoyed going to Farm Equipment Shows and spending time on the family farm in Switzerland County, Indiana. Later in life he loved traveling, especially to the “Old Timers Festival” in Gatlinburg and to Michigan to visit family. He was recognized at many of the local restaurants where he often took members of his family. He loved dessert, especially apple pie, and would never turn down a good pork tenderloin sandwich.
Melvin was a member of the Wilmington Hills Wesleyan Church where he was a Board Member, served as a Sunday School teacher and helped in whatever capacity was needed. He was a man of great faith and spent a lot of time praying for his family and friends.
Melvin is survived by his 4 children, Rev. Phil (LaDonna) Kessen of Washington, IN. Becky (Stan) Rohrig of Dillsboro, IN, Rev. Mark (Vickie) Kessen of Versailles, IN, Rev. James (late Cassie) Kessen of Aurora, IN, 12 grandchildren, 14 great grand children, cousins, and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, William and one sister, Juanita, and his beloved wife, Leah Doris Kessen.
A viewing will take place at the Wilmington Hills Wesleyan Church on October 13, from 2-4pm and a memorial service at 4pm.
Military services will be conducted by members of local Veterans Service Organizations.
Contributions may be made to the Wilmington Hills Wesleyan Church. If unable to attend services, please call the funeral home office at (812) 926-1450 and we will notify the family of your donation with a card.
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