Boonville- Leland O. Kessler, 83, a native and lifelong resident of Boonville, passed away on Monday, May 9, 2016 at Sunset Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, where he had resided since November 2012. He was born on Post Street, in the house he lived his entire life in, on July 1, 1932, a son of Royal H. and Elizabeth J. Heiler Kessler. Leland graduated from Boonville Central School with the Class of 195l; from 1951, until his honorable discharge in 1953, he served his country stateside in the U.S. Army Infantry, during the Korean Conflict Era. In 1958, Mr. Kessler graduated from Mohawk Valley Community College of Utica, where he earned a degree in Electrical Technology. From 1958 until he retired in 1988, he was employed as an Electrical Technician at Griffiss Air Force Base of Rome. Mr. Kessler was of the Presbyterian Faith. Leland will be fondly remembered as a person with a keen mind and legendary skills in his field of Electrical Technology. He greatly enjoyed playing pitch and cribbage as well as double solitaire. Leland was very fond of cats and found special joy in caring for stray cats and dogs, making certain he always placed food outside for them. His humor and wit will be fondly remembered. He is survived by several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by two brothers, Gordon, in June, 1962, and Raymond, in July, 1990, and two sisters, Thelma Thayer, in December, 1981, and Dorothy Kraeger, in April, 2015. He will be dearly missed by his neighbor Penny, and by his caregivers and friends at Sunset Nursing Home. Relatives and friends are invited to attend his graveside service on Friday, May 20, 2016 at 11:00 am at Boonville Cemetery, where his nephew Rev. David Kessler will officiate, and members of Charles J. Love Post American Legion # 406, Harland J. Hennessey Post V.F.W. and the Tun Tavern Marine Corps League will render Military Rites. There are no calling hours. Memorial contributions may be made to Sunset Nursing & Rehabilitation Center Resident Activities Fund, 232 Academy St. Boonville, NY 13309.
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