, Luther Albert Kesterson, Age 91, a former Baker City resident, died Thursday, April 13, 2000, in Twin Falls, Idaho. His funeral was April 19 in the Coles-Strommer Funeral Home. Pastor Lura Kidner-Miesen of the United Methodist Church officated, vault interment followed at Mount Hope Cemetery.
Mr. Kesterson was born Aug. 5, 1908, in Gillham, Ark., the son of James and Mary (Martin) Kesterson. He married Aline Pratt in Poteau, Okla., and they lived their early married years in Muse, Okla. He worked as a railroad foreman and later began his career as a saw filer, in Muse. Their daughter, Norma Sue Kesterson Griffith was born in Muse. In 1942, he moved his family to Wright City, Okla., where he continued work as a saw filer. There, their daughter Janice Faye Kesterson Henderson, was born. Mr. Kesterson was then offered a job in Pondosa as head saw filer and the family moved there and lived for several years until the mill in Pondosa closed. He then went to work as a saw filer at the mill in Halfway until his retirement. Mr. Kesterson and Aline retired in Baker City and lived here from 1970-1996. He had a great love for Baker City. He enjoyed fishing anywhere where fishing was good. He especially enjoyed fishing up toward Cornucopia, above Halfway. His other passions included playing card games and Aggravation with their Baker City friends. In 1996, they moved to Twin Falls to be near their daughter, Janice Henderson. He was a wonderful father and friend and he loved his dog, "Max."
He will be missed by all who knew and loved him. He is survived by his wife, Aline Kesterson of Twin Falls, Idaho; daughter and son-in-law, Sue and Paul Griffith of Renton, Wash.; daughter and son-in-law, Janice and David Henderson of Twin Falls; half-brother, Fred Kesterson; half-sister, Ethel Fagan; six grandchildren, Karen Aline Bakken, Janet Frampton, Kelly Griffith, Marcie Dawn Bennett, Arnold Wright Mason III, and Ramona Aline Henderson; and nine great grandchildren, Jennifer Bennett, R. J. Bennett, Kyle Bakken, Amanda Bakken, Adam George Griffith, Nicole Griffith, Nathaniel Frampton, Eleanor Louise Frampton and Madelyn Frampton. He was preceded in death by his parents and a half-sister. The family suggests memorial contributions to the United Methodist Church through the Coles-Strommer Funeral Home.
William J. Kennedy
, age 94, a resident of the Dutch Valley Community in Anderson County, died Saturday, July 25, 2009, at the Golden Living Health Care Center in Clinton.
Mr. Kennedy was born April 11, 1915, in Anderson County. He lived in Oak Ridge from 1960 to 2006.
Mr. Kennedy was an accomplished musician and he was the former organist at the Dutch Valley Baptist Church.
He attended the Oak Ridge First Baptist Church and his greatest passion for over 20 years was working with the Agape at the church.
Mr. Kennedy retired in 1979 from Union Carbide at the K-25 Federal Plant.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Bertha Goodman Kennedy; his parents, Arthur and Myrtle Kesterson Kennedy; a sister, Grace Kennedy; and a brother, John Bell Kennedy.
He is survived by daughters, Sharon Morgan McChesney and husband, Sean, of Kingston, Janet Marlow and husband, Darrell, of Oak Ridge, Karen McGuffin and husband, Jonathan, of Dutch Valley, and Sheila Alauddin of Vancouver, Wash.; sons William J. Kennedy Jr. and wife, Molly, of Dutch Valley, and Philip Kennedy of Maryland.
His grandchildren are Cindy Brummett, Randy Morgan, Misty Marlow, Aaron McGuffin, Daniel McGuffin, Bryan, Lesa and Chris Grube, Maria and Tarik Alauddin, Noel Kennedy and Lori Kennedy. He is also survived by several great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren, and special friends, Roy Vickery and June Huffman.
The family will receive friends Tuesday, July 28, 2009, between the hours of 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. at Sharp Funeral Home. The funeral will follow at 1 p.m. in the funeral home chapel with Pastor Tom Chadwick officiating. Burial will follow at Poplar Creek Cemetery.
Willard Howard Kesterson, passed away Thursday (March 16, 2006) at Wellmont Hawkins County Memorial Hospital. He was a member of Mt. Zion United Methodist Church. Mr. Kesterson retired from Holston Electric Co-op after 29 years of service. Mr. Kesterson was preceded in death by his parents, Floyd and Flora Wampler Kesterson; brothers, Earl Kesterson, Roy Kesterson and Paul Kesterson; sister, Doretha Gibson. Survivors include his wife, Irene Kite Kesterson, of the home; father-in-law, Dock Kite (99 years of age); brothers-in-law, Martin Kite and wife, Judy, Billy Kite and wife, Rena, all of Rogersville; sisters-in-law, Marie Kesterson of Louisvile, Ky., Nancy Kesterson of Baileyton, Lucille Testerman and husband, Frank of Rogersville; several nieces, nephews and a host of friends. Calling hours are from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. today at Broome Funeral Home, Rogersville. Services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday in the funeral home chapel with Elder John Arnott and Rev. Tom Lawson officiating. Burial will follow in the Kite Cemetery. Honorary pallbearers will be employees and retirees of Holston Electric Co-op. Broome Funeral Home, Rogersville is serving the Kesterson family.
