MIDDLEBURY — Joe F. Kessler, 73, of Middlebury died at 12:44 a.m .on Tuesday, September 9, 2014, at Elkhart General Hospital. He was born on July 23, 1941, in Auburn to Robert and Irene (Brown) Kessler. On October 8, 1960, in Auburn he married Carolyn J. Powell, and she survives. Survivors in addition to his wife are a daughter, Kimberly (David) Burson of Osceola; two sons, Robert Kessler of Middlebury and Jeffery (Michelle) Kessler of South Bend; three grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; two sisters, Mary Jane (Lew) McCain of Broomfield, Colorado, and Roberta (Paul) Jernigan of Auburn; a sister-in-law, Janet Kessler of Spencerville; three brothers, Harold (Barbara) Kessler of Garrett, Wayne (Cathy) Kessler of Auburn and Darold (Debbie) Kessler of Columbia, Tennessee; three half brothers, Robert, Richard and Dale Carper, all of Wisconsin. He was preceded in death by his father, Robert Kessler; his mother, Irene Pence; a daughter, Deborah McKee; and a twin brother, John Kessler. Joe worked on the railroad his entire working career, working for Penn Central, Conrail and Norfolk-Southern. He was a bridges and buildings foreman and a scale inspector. He enjoyed golf, games of all kinds including doing puzzle books, woodworking and sightseeing. He and his wife wintered in Foley, Alabama, and he attended New Song Church in Union, Michigan. Visitation will be from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Friday, September 12, at Miller-Stewart Funeral Home, 1003 S. Main St., Middlebury. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday, September 13, also at the funeral home. Friends and family may gather at noon on Saturday for a graveside service at Fremont Cemetery. All services will be conducted by Pastor Steve Ganger. Memorials may be given to New Song Church in Union, Michigan. Online condolences may be sent at millerstewartfuneralhome.com.