Maurice Elwood Kessler

Maurice Elwood Kessler, 85, of Zionsville, Indiana passed away on Tuesday, March 25th, 2025. Maurice was born in Indianapolis on March 5th, 1940 to William Andrew and Dorothy (Coble) Kessler. Maurice was a proud graduate of Zionsville High School's "oh so great class of '58", and also attended Butler University in Indianapolis. He married the love of his life, Lou Ann Lanham on August 16th, 1963. They went on to live in Zionsville for the next 60 plus years, and raised their two children, Mike and Michelle there. Maurice worked for a number of years as a Purchasing Director for MCL Cafeteria. One of his great loves was all things Indy 500. After his retirement, opportunity knocked, and he got his dream job of working with the Public Address System at The Indianapolis Motor Speedway. This job meant elbowing with the owners, crews and drivers. If it was the month of May, then he was at The Speedway. This would have been his 78th Indy 500. Family always came first for Maurice, and he and Lou Ann loved going to their grandsons' basketball, baseball and soccer games. He and Lou Ann also had great fun on a number of family cruises, and were able to dodge some Indiana winters in Naples, Florida. In later years, He and Lou Ann enjoyed going on long distance lunch excursions. They were often accompanied by their children and friends on these excursions. They especially liked to stop at Stookey's for catfish and Long's for donuts. Maurice was the resident family genealogist and filled binders with his ancestry research. This interest in history also showed up in his love and dedication for his hometown of Zionsville. He definitely was a historian of the town and enjoyed sharing anecdotes and stories from Zionsville's past. He never knew a stranger, and enjoyed numerous lunches at The Friendly Tavern with friends, as well as monthly "Indy 500 Breakfast Club" gatherings. He was a member of the "Indianapolis 500 Oldtimers Association", and looked forward to their annual dinner. He was always genuinely interested in others, going out of his way to say a kind word about anyone and doing whatever he could to brighten a friend's day. Maurice was one of the good ones. Truly a gentleman's gentleman, as kind and generous as they come. He will be missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him. Survivors include his loving wife of 61 years, Lou Ann Kessler, his children: Michael (Sarah) Kessler and Michelle (Brett) Kessler-Boyd; and grandchildren: Brandon (Lindsey) Boyd and Luke Kessler. He was preceded in death by his parents, and brother-in-law, Larry Lanham. Family and friends will gather for visitation on Monday, March 31, 2025, from 4pm-7pm at Simplicity Funeral and Cremation Care, 125 W. Sycamore St. Zionsville, Indiana 46077. Visitation will also be held on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, from 10am until the time of the funeral service at 11am, also at the funeral home. Burial will immediately follow the funeral service at Salem Cemetery in Zionsville, Indiana. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in his name may be made to Riley Childrens Foundation or Indianapolis Motor Speedway foundation.