Richard P. "Dick" Kesler, 88, of Savoy, Illinois passed away Sunday Oct. 2, 2016 at Meadowbrook Health Center in Urbana.

Richard was born July 10, 1928, in Olney, the son of Isaac Kesler and Dora Prather Kesler. He married Evelyn M. Kiger on June 12, 1951, in Robinson.

He is survived by his wife and their four children and spouses, Sandra Potzer (Ferd) of Tolono, Rick Kesler (Donna) of Freeport, Sarah Nelson (Dan) of Ramsey, Minn., and Susan Bonner (Bill) of Greenwood, Ind.

He is also survived by seven grandchildren, Julia Bryant, Karl Potzer, Richard Kesler, Zach Nelson, Jordan Stoeger, Scott Kesler and Brandi Bonner; as well as six great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant son and his sister, Nancy Brooks (Kenneth) of Ludington, Mich.

Richard graduated from Olney Township High School and attended the University of Illinois for one year before being drafted. After graduating from Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Ga., he served as a company commander of a basic training company at Fort Jackson, S.C. After discharge, he returned to the University of Illinois, graduating with Bronze Tablet and High Honors.

He taught vocational agriculture at Lexington High School in Illinois and worked as a field man for the Illinois Farm Business and Farm Management Service. In 1965, he received a master of science degree from the University of Illinois and joined the faculty of the UI Department of Agricultural Economics.

In 1979, he became assistant head and director of extension for the department. His work on the changing economic structure of the hog industry and his evaluation of profitability and financial feasibility were widely recognized.

He was a longtime member of Grace United Methodist Church in Urbana and more recently a member of Savoy United Methodist Church. He was a member of Gamma Sigma and Epsilon Sigma Phi, and the American and Illinois Societies of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers, serving as secretary and president of the Illinois society and college vice president of the American society. He served on more than three dozen department, state, regional and national committees and task forces, earning numerous awards.

Richard was a proud father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He enjoyed traveling, camping, gardening, the St. Louis Cardinals and University of Illinois sports.

Richard and Evelyn enjoyed their 65 years of marriage together with many family vacations, trips to Washington and Oregon in retirement and their 50th wedding celebration with family on an Alaskan cruise. Richard will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

Funeral service held at Savoy United Methodist Church. Military rites accorded at the church by Urbana American Legion Post 71.

Memorials can be made to Savoy United Methodist Church or the Alzheimer's Association.

News-Gazette, The: Web Edition Articles (Champaign-Urbana, IL) - Thursday, October 6, 2016