John W. Kessler III

John Kessler, a devoted Catholic whose faith guided his life, died fittingly on Holy Thursday, April 2, after a three-year battle with increasingly aggressive Alzheimer's disease.

Born in St. Paul in 1942, John was educated at St. Thomas Academy, the College of St. Thomas, and the University of Minnesota. In recent years, he made his home in Plum City, Wisconsin.

John began his professional life in mortuary work, both in the family business, Kessler & Maguire, and on the West Coast. He later followed his artistic calling, first as a broker of other artists' work and eventually as a creator of his own. Over the past 40 years, his paintings have been exhibited in museums and held in private and commercial collections across the United States, Asia, and Europe.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, John and Helen Kessler; his mother, Dorothy Kessier; and his sister, Patricia Schneider.

He is survived by his cousins, Peggi (Jay) Pelzer and their offspring: David, Michael, Patricia, Donna, Tracy and Jeffery. and by Dwight Robinson, his cousin, business partner, and faithful caregiver.

The family extends special gratitude for the loving care provided by the staff at Comforts of Home, River Falls, Wisconsin.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, May 19th, at 11:00 AM

at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, 398 Superior St, St. Paul, MN, with visitation one hour prior. Memorials preferred to Catholic Charities, St.

Paul, or donors choice. Private inurnment at Calvary Cemetery at a later date.