Howard Edward Kessel, 77, of Kirksville, Missouri, passed away Friday (November 2, 2012) at Northeast Regional Medical Center in Kirksville.

The son of Leonard and Elsie (Ledger) Kessel, he was born January 4, 1935 in Fairfield, Iowa.

Howard is survived by one daughter, Theresa Shell of Kirksville, MO, four brothers, Harold Kessel of Colona, IA, Eugene Kessel of Ollie, IA, Dwight Kessel of Washington, IA and Carol Kessel of Davenport, IA; one sister, Beatrice Reynolds of Des Moines, IA; three grandchildren, Amber Ratliff and husband John, Amber Singer and husband Jason and Brandon Kessel, six great-grandchildren, Raven, Jackson and Broderick Ratliff, Kaylee and Kaiden Singer and Cayge Kessel, as well a number of nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two sons, Robert and Randall Kessel; one brother, Clyde Kessel; two sisters, Isabelle Rich and Marion Wonderlich; two grandsons, Keith and Kevin Nicewander, and his companion of forty years, Faye Pruitt.

Howard graduated from high school in Ollie, Iowa. He had resided in Kirksville for the past fifty-four years and was employed in construction a number of years for Paris Asphalt in Clarence, Missouri, until retiring.

Howard enjoyed gardening, walking and spending time at Bob Charles garage.

He was a member of Kirksville Moose Lodge 1751 and Mary Immaculate Catholic Church.

Funeral service will be held 2:00 p.m. Wednesday (November 7, 2012) at Travis-Noe Funeral Home in Kirksville, with Father Chris Cordes presiding. Interment will follow the service at Mary Immaculate Catholic Cemetery in Kirksville.

Family will receive friends one hour before the service on Wednesday (November 7, 2012) in the chapel of Travis-Noe Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be John Ratliff, Brandon Kessel, David Potter and Roger Sizemore.

Expressions of sympathy in memory of Howard Kessel may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association. Memorials may be left at or mailed to Travis-Noe Funeral Home, P.O. Box 306, Kirksville, MO 63501.