Frances Cecilia “Frankie” (Canole) Kessler, 91 of Altoona died Sunday morning September 6, 2020 at Garvey Manor Nursing Home, Hollidaysburg.
She was born November 10, 1928 in Royersford, PA a daughter of the late John H. and Florence E. (Merkey) Canole. After the death of her mother on December 15, 1929, Frances was raised in the home of her grandparents, Francis and Cecilia (Costlow) Canole along with her aunts and uncles, Owen Canole, Martha Raichle, Mary Belle Graham, Joseph Canole and Regina Walter who all preceded her in death and cousin Ronald Raichle who is surviving. She married Rudolph A. Kessler on July 9, 1949 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Altoona. He preceded her in death March 7, 2013.
Surviving are her five children: Katherine F. “Kay” Balestino (Joseph) of Fallentimber; Ann C. Vellone (Joseph) of Altoona; John R. Kessler (Robin) of Altoona; Mary Beth Adams of Altoona; Regina P. Teresi (Mark) of Fuquay-Varina, NC; eleven grandchildren, Betty Smith, Gretchen Jablonski (John), Nichole Spanik (Jason), Justina McCaulley, Andrea Leeper, Abby Bickel (Jeremy), Brad Kessler (Brandy), Sarah Bougher (fiancé Steve Rupp), Alyssa Adams; Joseph and Victoria Teresi; seventeen great grandchildren: Scott Smith, Dru Balestino, Gracie and Anthony Jablonski, Emma and Wade Spanik, Evan and Noah McCaulley, Andrew Leeper, Audrey Bickel, Tyler, Marissa, Adrianna and Nathan Kessler; Brianna, Harley and Bristol Bougher, Eric’s wife, Melissa Balestino; and three great great grandchildren: Casey and Adaline Smith, and James Kessler; and lifelong friend, Evelyn Sedlak of West Mifflin.
Frances was preceded in death by her step-mother Genevieve (Luther) Canole; sister Florence E. “Toby” and husband Paul Porado; grandson Eric Balestino; and granddaughter’s husband Brian McCaulley.
Mrs. Kessler was a 1947 graduate of St. Joseph Academy at Seton Hill, Greensburg, PA.
She enjoyed bowling at St. Mary’s Memorial Hall and swimming at the Hollidaysburg YWCA, as well as shopping.
Frances was a member of the Bavarian Aid Society and Ladies Auxiliary and the Unter Uns Retired Ladies.
Frances enjoyed hosting summer picnics for family and friends at her home.
Friends will be received from 9:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Monday September 21, 2020 at Myers-Somers Funeral Home, Inc., 501 Sixth Avenue, Altoona.
A funeral mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Monday September 21, 2020 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Altoona with Rev. Lubomir J. Strecok and Rev. David H. Roesch con-celebrating. Interment will be held at Calvary Cemetery, Altoona.
In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
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