Morris Wilfred Kessinger, 90, Mt. Morris, died Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2009 at Pinecrest Manor Nursing Home.
He was born April 20, 1919 in Carlinville, the son of Charles Fred and Pearl (Morris) Kessinger.
He married Gertrude M. Baur on June 4, 1940 in Albion, Mich. She died on Sept. 18, 2008.
He graduated from Carlinville High School in 1937. He also graduated from Blackburn College and the University of Illinois.
He taught agriculture and chemistry for 10 years and then served as the manager of Federal Land Bank in Lee and Ogle Counties, until his retirement in 1984.
He lived in Mt. Morris for 31 years, moving there from Amboy.
He attended Disciples United Methodist Church, Mt. Morris. He was national secretary of Federal Land Bank Managers, a former board member of the Yellow Bird (now Rock River Center), Oregon, and a former board member of Sauk Valley Community College, Sterling.
He had many collections and hand-hooked more than 70 rugs, some of which he donated to area schools and charities to be raffled.
Kessinger is survived by a daughter, Marilyn (Bill) Hubbard, Swannanoa, N.C.; a granddaughter, Laura (David) Samuels, Statesboro, Ga.; a grandson, Evan Hubbard, Nogales, Ariz.; three great-grandchildren, Kyle, Kyra, and Nina Rose Samuels, Statesboro, Ga.; a brother, John Kessinger, Decatur; and a sister, Betty (Vernon) Easley, Albuquerque, N.M.
He was predeceased by his parents; wife; a brother, Nelson Kessinger; and two sisters, Lois Kessinger and Shirley Willis.
A memorial service will be held in Mt. Morris in the spring. Burial will be in Charity Cemetery, Carlinville, where five generations of his family are buried.
A memorial has been established to the Good Samaritan Fund at Pinecrest Community, 414 S. Wesley Ave., Mt. Morris IL 61054.
Condolences may be sent to Marilyn and Bill Hubbard, 139 Woodburn Drive, Swannanoa, NC 28778.
Arrangements were completed by Finch Funeral Home, Mt. Morris.