Stephen Kessler, 75, of DeKalb, died Wednesday, October 16, 2024, peacefully at home.

He was born in Sleepy Eye, MN, the son of Joseph W. Kessler and Joleen (Seidl) Paxton- Brown. 
Stephen and Gail were married in Round Lake, IL and throughout their 48 years of marriage they raised their family in DeKalb, Il.

Steve Served in the Navy from 1971-1974 during the VietNam War as a Bosun.  He was a DeKalb Firefighter for nearly 27 years and one of the first paramedics in DeKalb ending his service as Captain. He was a member of DeKalb firefighters Local 1236 serving as president and negotiator.  He was an active member of the Knights of Columbus and affiliated with the VFW and Eagles Club.

Steve enjoyed hunting and the outdoors, but fishing was Steve’s lifelong passion.  The Mississippi River and Port Aransas, TX were amongst some of his favorite spots.  Steve traveled to Ontario Canada throughout his life to fish Lake of the Woods and Crow Lake.  Biannual fishing trips with the guys and annual summer family vacations were where his smiles seemed the biggest and his laughs the loudest.

Stephen was preceded in death by his father Joseph Kessler and step- mother Bernice Kessler; his mother Joleen Paxton-Brown; his paternal grandparents Conrad and Hermina Kessler; and his maternal grandparents William and Lora Seidl; his niece Kelly Jean Kessler. 

He is survived by his wife Gail of DeKalb; his daughters Marcie (Ross) Martin of Sycamore, Amanda (Phillip) Wacker of Rockford, and Jennifer (Martha Del Rio) Kessler of Chicago; his three grandchildren Archer, Wren, and Hazel; his brothers Randall (Kathy) Kessler of Otsego, MN; Mark (Terry) Kessler of Sparta, GA; Rick (Joan) Nelson of Claire; Robb (Mary Jo Peterson) Nelson of Elburn.  Sisters Constance Altenburg of Camerillo, CA and Chris (Mike) Heyob of Maple Park; also several nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

A visitation will be held Sunday, October 20, 2024 from 1:00pm to 3:00pm.  A celebration of life will follow from 3:00-3:30pm at Anderson Funeral Home in DeKalb. 

The Celebration of Life will be live streamed at the following link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84396197270?pwd=rP7v0Jn3oHgn0a9DoCW7Fc7AOQkbdD.1

Meeting ID: 843 9619 7270

Passcode: 562275

In lieu of flowers, Donations can be made to the Steve Kessler Memorial Fund in care of Anderson Funeral Home, P.O. Box 605, 2011 South Fourth Street, DeKalb, IL 60115.

For information, visit www.AndersonFuneralHomeLtd.com or call 815-756-1022.