Fanny R. (Perry) Kessler Collins, 92, formerly of Kentland, passed away on Monday, December 28, 2015, at Westminster Village in West Lafayette.

 

Born to Oliver and Della (Lyons) Perry on August 5, 1923, Fanny was a life-long resident of Kentland until her move to West Lafayette in 2005.  She was a 1941 graduate of Alexander J. Kent High School, where she twice served as president of her class during her high school years.  Following a short stint as a dress store clerk, Fanny joined the Newton County Rationing Board as the United States entered World War II.  Taking time out to raise her family, she worked in a number of clerical positions in several Kentland locations throughout her career, including the office of the Superintendent of Schools, the office of the Newton County Extension Agent, and the Federal Land Bank.  At the time of her retirement, she was employed by Edward J. Funk and Sons of Kentland.

 

Fanny was married to Evart R. Kessler of Morocco on November 30, 1947.  Evart was employed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Soil Conservation Service, and the couple enjoyed the many friendships made through his work, as well as travel to national conservation group meetings allowing them to visit a number of destinations across the United States.  They enjoyed playing both pinochle and bridge with family and friends, as well as supporting school and community activities.  Parents of two children, they were married for almost 27 years before Evart’s passing in 1974.

 

On October 12, 1985, Fanny was married to Maurice B. Collins of Pine Village.  Maurice farmed in northern Newton County for many years, and he and Fanny enjoyed their shared experience of lives spent in the small farm communities of northwest Indiana. They split their time between Kentland and Maurice’s farm home, and were fond of driving the county roads to inspect each year’s crops, as well as spending time with their children and grandchildren.  Following a brief illness, Maurice passed away in 2002.

 

Active in the Kentland community, Fanny was a member of Epsilon Iota chapter of Tri Kappa, Kentland Woman’s Club, and the American Legion Auxiliary.  She was raised in the First Christian Church of Kentland, and continued as an active member of the congregation following its merger with the First Presbyterian Church creating the Covenant Federated Church of Kentland.  Her service to the church continued for many years as both a deaconess and a member of the church choir.

  

Fanny loved to dance and enjoyed almost any kind of music.  She played both the piano and the organ, and rarely missed any of her grandchildren’s musical performances.  She particularly loved live theater, and traveled many times to Chicago and Indianapolis to see touring Broadway productions.  Her interest in travel continued during her retirement, and she had fond memories of Texas visits with her son, trips to the beach with her grandchildren, and several trips to Europe.  Fanny was also an excellent seamstress, and she enjoyed studying family history and catching up with distant relatives to add information to family genealogy records.    

 

Fanny is survived by her two children, Nancy (John) Vandeventer of Zionsville, Indiana and Dan (Marvel Jeffcoat) Kessler of Ft. Worth, Texas, her brothers Bill (Helen) Perry of Kentland and Jack Perry of Dearborn, Michigan, grandchildren Nick Vandeventer of Indianapolis and Kelsey (Jon) Brewer of Austin, Texas, and eight nieces and nephews.  She also remembered fondly time spent with the Collins family, including Maurice’s daughter Carol (Albert) Hanley of Lake Village, his grandchildren Bryan and Dawn, and their families.

 

Friends may call from 10 AM until the time of funeral service 12 (noon) (CST), Tuesday, January 5, 2016, at Covenant Federated Church of Kentland. Interment to follow at Fairlawn Cemetery. Rev. Wayne R. Meyer to officiate.

 

Memorial contributions may be made to Covenant Federated Church of Kentland, the Newton County Historical Society, or a favorite charity of the donor’s choice.

 

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