Mary Agnes Kesler

1916 - 2014

KESLER, MARY AGNES; of Ortonville; died July 11, 2014; She was 98; born July 4, 1916 in Tams, West Virginia to the late Joseph Steven and Anna (nee: Martin) Pachuta. Devoted wife for 50 years to the love of her life Hoten Kesler, who has waited in heaven since 1988. Mary and Hoten raised four children, David (Darlene) Kesler, Paul (Diana) Kesler, Nancy Newhard and the late James Kesler in 2006. These children blessed Mary’s life with 8 grandchildren; and 14 great grandchildren. Mary came from a large, happy family of 10 children and she will be missed by 2 surviving sisters, Margaret Walters and Anna Farthing; 1 brother, Mike Pachuta. She is also a beloved aunt to many nieces, nephews and extended family. Mary was a founding member of St. Anne Church in Ortonville. 7 women from those early days who have dubbed themselves “The Breakfast Group” have continued to meet for lunch and a card party every month. This kinship over the past 56 years has cemented a rare bond and the group will miss Mary’s stories, jokes and her sweet funny outlook on life. Mary was an artist who created a genre of sculpture she named “creativity of rocks”. This is a type of folk art made with natural stone that she put together to awaken the beauty of the stones, while fashioning them into recognizable shapes, such as birds, frogs, turtles, etc. She collected and glued the rocks together herself, mostly from Michigan beaches; her work has been displayed all over the United States. She also lectured and conducted workshops on her art for the past 45 years. Mary was also a renowned winemaker for over 70 years. She loved raising flowers, fruit trees and her backyard is a work of art itself. She was an authority on antique pewter and her extensive personal collection was her pride and joy. She was a proud Michigan transplant and adored her adopted state. She and Hoten spent 20 years after his retirement visiting the campgrounds and beaches of Michigan. They spent many happy hours walking the trails and sunsets in their little camping trailer. Memorial Mass of the Resurrection will be 1 p.m. Tuesday, July 15, 2014 at St. Anne Catholic Church (825 S. Ortonville Rd., Ortonville). Fr. Gerard Frawley, Celebrant. She will be buried beside Hoten at Ortonville Cemetery. Family will receive friends on Tuesday at the church from 12 Noon until the time of the Mass. Memorial contributions may be made to the Church or St. Jude Children’s Hospital. Please walk outside tonight and admire the sunset for her. Arrangements were entrusted to COATS VILLAGE FUNERAL HOME-ORTONVILLE. To send a condolence, go to www.CoatsFuneralHome.com/Obituaries