Joyce F. Kessman

Joyce F. Kessman, 87 passed Tuesday, July 7, 2015. Born April 20, 1928 in Worden, IL, son of Frederick & Henrietta Kessman. Married Geraldine M. Weishaupt May 1, 1948. He served God by living a life of faith; he served country in the US Marines during World War II. He was a member of the American Legion and a Worden volunteer fireman. Member of Mt. Olive Lutheran Church. Retired from Cassens Transport as VP of Quality Assurance after almost 60 years of service. Instrumental in the design and development of auto transports. Full of laughter and good spirits, outgoing and friendly to everyone he met and always had a story or a joke. Avid basketball fan following the Rockford Lightning and Rockford Lutheran High School. He loved nothing more than the time spent with his family, always blessing them with unconditional love. Joyce is survived by his wife Geraldine of 67 years, son Ned (Paula) Kessman, daughter Tara (David) Dooley, grandchildren Neil (Abby Usedom) Kessman, Leah (Matthew) Carlson, Breanna (Tim) Fleming, great-grandchildren Andrew & Rachel Carlson, brother Gene (Doris Lee) Kessman, sisters JaNette (Jack) Minner and Gloria (Lynn) Perry and several nieces and nephews. Loved ones that have passed before, parents Frederick & Henrietta Kessman and nephew Scott Nelson.


A celebration of Joyce’s life will be held at 11:00 am Saturday at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church with a visitation at 10:00 am. Memorials may be made to Mt. Olive Lutheran Church or Rockford Lutheran High School. Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Mulford Chapel, assisted the family. To express online condolences, please visit: www.fitzgeraldfh.com.