Fred A. Fesser, 88, of Fillmore, died at 2:10 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 19, 2010, at St. John's Hospital in Springfield.

Services will begin at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 22, at St. Matthew's Lutheran Church in Fillmore with Pastor James Vargo officiating. Burial will follow in Glendale Cemetery, Fillmore.

Visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 21, at Allen and Sutton Funeral Home, Fillmore, with Masonic rites at 7 p.m.

Mr. Fesser was born Oct. 27, 1922, in Fillmore, the son of the late Ray and Pearl (Wright) Fesser. He married Velma Rose Craig on Feb. 22, 1950, in Belleville, and she survives.

He is also servived by a son, Carl (wife Jayne) Fesser of Fillmore; three daughters, Rosalie Fesser of Ft. Collins, CO, Rosanne (husband Ed) Heck of Nokomis, and Rhonda (husband Dale) Joyce of Witt; a sister, Beulah Whitten of Hillsboro; grandchildren Jarret (wife Nicole) Joyce, Zachary Joyce, Emily (husband Jared) Klinefelter, Kirbee (husband Nathan) Womble, Mallory Fesser, Mitch Fesser, Mason Fesser, and Mia Fesser; great-grandchildren Connor Joyce and Treven Foster; as well as several nieces and nephews.

A retired farmer, Mr. Fesser was a member of St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, Fillmore Sportsman's Club, Glendale Cemetery Board, Hillsboro Area Hospital Board, Witt Lions Club, Farm Bureau, Crimestoppers, and Livestock Feeders Association.

He was a veteran of the United States Navy and a 67-year member of AF and AM Masonic Lodge of Fillmore. A member of the Shriners Royal Order of Jesters, he also worked many hours with 4-H cattle and livestock as a leader of the Starr Shooters. He had served on the Nokomis School Board, many church councils, and was a scholastic basketball referee in the late 1940s and early '50s.

Memorials may be made to St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, Glendale Cemetery, Fillmore Sportsman's Club, or Hillsboro Area Hospital.

Source:  The Journal-News

Provided by:  Ann Stoddard