John Robert Kesler

John Robert Kesler, age 74, passed away in the early morning hours on May 25, 2025. John was born in Columbus, Ohio to parents, Robert Ridenour Kesler and Rosemary Naomi Huey Kesler. He graduated from Whetstone High School, class of 1968. He received his undergraduate degree in education from The Ohio State University and later received his Master’s in Guidance Counseling from OSU as well.

John began his 35 year teaching career at Hilliard Middle School teaching math and earth science. He then took a Sabbatical year to get his Masters.

He worked for Christ Community Church in Columbus, Ohio as a pastor and counselor for 5 years. He then reentered public education, teaching math at Bellefontaine Middle School, continuing as a guidance counselor and making the move to the High School the last 7 years before retiring.

During his years in education he coached baseball and basketball (Hilliard) and cross country, basketball, and track at Bellefontaine Middle School.

I think at this point in John’s life and spiritual journey that he would simply say he was “a follower of Jesus.” Raised at Indian Springs Church of Christ (where he met Marianne when she was 5 and he was 9!) he was thankful for his faith roots and has been part of several nondenominational churches in his adult life, as well as pastor at two. He and Marianne spent the first 4 months after marriage serving in a program called Camp Shiloh, living in Brownsville, Brooklyn in New York City teaching Bible classes and coaching basketball for the city youth. Two special groups close to his heart are the small group in Springfield Ohio where we shared life for over 12 years, as well as our current small group in Dayton we lovingly call “The Outlaws.”

John was a quiet man and a deep thinker. In later years he developed a passion for reading, with a favorite classic The Count of Monte Cristo, and numerous Christian spiritual writers such as Dallas Willard, Richard Rohr, and Brian Zahnd. John (Johnny to those closest) loved his family, and the times spent on our camping adventures when our sons were young were some of his most precious memories. Carrying on to a new generation of interests with six grandchildren, he attended (or watched via live stream) many soccer matches, robotics competitions, dance recitals, vocal music and theater productions, half-marathons, and would have loved to see the youngest (age 6) play ice hockey!

John & Marianne had been married for almost 53 years and some favorite activities they still enjoyed were hiking (searching for wildflowers), biking the lovely bike trail network in our area, and listening for and seeing birds. John loved the Beavercreek Wetlands in our area and was so exited about the construction of the 17 mile Spotted Turtle Trail which is in progress.

Not at all least, John loved rock music from the late sixties and while he may not have known all the words, he could probably tell you the band name and the year the song was released!

John was proceeded in death by his parents Bob and Rosemary Kesler.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years Marianne Kesler, his four sons Jerah Kesler, Jordan Kesler, John Benjamin (Mary Beth) Kesler, and Brendan (Courtney) Kesler. Six Kesler grandchildren include Hunter, Kati, Delphina, Paxton, Beckett, and Gavin. All of John’s three siblings and their spouses survive: Marilyn (Bill) Karl, Gary (Diane) Kesler, and Cheryl (Bill) Betz along with 16 nieces and nephews.

Calling hours will be held at Routsong Funeral Home Centerville Chapel (located at 81 North Main Street in Centerville Ohio 45459) from 5-7 pm Saturday evening May 31st with the funeral service on Sunday morning June 1st at 11 am.

The family would like to thank you for the outpouring of so much love and support. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in John’s memory to the Beavercreek Wetlands Association (earmarked for the Spotted Turtle Trail) on the website beavercreekwetlands.org (there is a link for the Trail Project / BCWA on that site) or checks may be mailed to Beavercreek Wetlands Association at 1999 Dayton Xenia Rd. Beavercreek, OH 45432.