Melvin Earl Kessinger

Other Events and Attributes:

• Also Known As: Mel

Notes:

Died:
Melvin Earl Kessinger: Newspaper Obituary and Death Notice

Times-News, The (Twin Falls, ID) - Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Deceased Name: Melvin Earl Kessinger
Melvin Earl Kessinger

Melvin E. Kessinger, 74, died of cancer Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2009, at his home in Spanish Fork, Utah.

He was born Aug. 27, 1935, in Rupert, Idaho, to Eugene Kessinger and Ruby Rasmussen Southern. After Mel was diagnosed with cancer, he was inflicted by other complications. Though this caused much pain, suffering and many trips to the hospital he consistently baffled medical authorities with his contagious positive attitude, great sense of humor and miraculous ability to heal. In fact, he was affectionately known as "Miracle Mel."

Mel will be remembered for his quiet acts of kindness. He built up those around him through service and sacrifice. He lived a simple and humble life. His enjoyments came from family, friends, his farm and learning. During his retired years, he enjoyed working on his small farm raising Shetland ponies and miniature goats. As a young father, he raised goats and sold their milk to parents with children allergic to milk.

Mel was married to Ellie Kessinger in the Arizona Temple in 1966. They had two boys and 37 years of marriage before she died in 2003. Later, Mel married Barbra Cherrington in the Timpanogos Temple. They have one daughter. Melvin received his bachelor's degree from BYU and earned his master's degree in social work from Florida State University. He worked for 29 years as a social worker for the Division of Child and Family Services in Utah. His continuing education included hypnosis, guided imagery and other therapies that he mastered to help all types of clients. Mel served our country in the Army and followed politics closely - he enjoyed his freedom.

Melvin was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served an LDS mission in the U.S. Central States area. Mel enjoyed life. He had too many talents to list and used them all in helping others. He was soft-spoken, genuine, kind, funny and never held grudges. Mel Kessinger will be greatly missed by his wife, family and friends. We'll especially miss the dangerous pancakes, his vast knowledge on hydrogen peroxide and his fun songs he'd sing.

He is survived by his wife, Barbra; his sons, Bryan and Tom Kessinger; his daughter, Eliza Kessinger; and his seven grandchildren. He is also survived by his mother, Ruby Southern; and his siblings, Neil, Leon, Donna, Jay, Larry, Jim, Wayne and Kirk. He is preceded in death by his first wife, Ellie Kessinger.

The funeral was held Saturday, Dec. 12, in Spanish Fork, Utah. Interment is in the Evergreen Cemetery in Springville, Utah.

• Published Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Copyright (c) 2009 The Times-News

Age at Death: 74

Melvin married El Louise Nielson on 23 Nov 1966. El (daughter of George Edward Nielson and Louise Milton) was born on 16 Sep 1932 in Phoenix, Maricopa, Arizona, USA; died on 2 Jul 2003 in Spanish Fork, Utah, Utah, USA; was buried on 7 Jul 2003 in Evergreen Cemetery, Springville, Utah, Utah, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Living
2. Living

Family/Spouse: Living. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Living