PHILLIP R. KESSIE

Phillip R. Kessie, age 59, of Columbia City, IN passed away at 5:10 a.m. Saturday November 9, 2013 at his home. Born on August 27, 1954 in Whitley County, IN, he was the son of Gerald R. and Barbara R. (Amendt) Kessie.

He was a lifetime resident of Whitley County, IN.He graduated from Whitko High School with the Class of 1972, which was the first class to graduate from the new high school.On May 29, 1999, he married Victoria J. Hileman in Columbia City, IN. He worked on the family farm, at Perkins Furniture Transport, Warsaw for 16 1/2 years and then later at Dalton Corporation, Warsaw where he retired with 17 years service. He was a member of United Steelworkers local #6805, Warsaw. He loved living on the farm where he grew up and enjoyed woodworking, hunting, and Nascar races.

Survivors include his wife, Victoria J. Kessie of Columbia City; daughter, Audra (Chad) Marsh of South Whitley, IN; son, P. Jeremy (Rindi) Kessie of South Whitley, IN; step-daughter Samantha Smith of Waynesboro, VA; mother, Barbara R. (Amendt) Kessie of Columbia City; sister, Elaine L. (Les) Kreger of Warsaw; brother, Joseph F. (Darci) Kessie of South Whitley; 8 grandchildren Hali, Maryssa, and Danika Kessie and Whitney and Beau Marsh all of South Whitley, Megan and Alyssa Leo of VA, and Jessica Zellmar of Bremen, IN; 4 great grandchildren; several aunts, uncles, nieces and special nephew Taylor Kessie; 3 beloved dogs Izzi, Lulu, and Sully.He was preceeded in death by his father, Gerald R. Kessie.

Visitation is 3-5 & 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, November 12, 2013 at DeMoney-Grimes Countryside Park Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City, IN.Funeral service will be at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 13, 2013 at the DeMoney-Grimes Funeral Home. Burial will take place at a later date.Memorials may be given in memory of Mr. Kessie to Whitley County Animal Shelter or Parkview Whitley Hospice.