Canton soldier killed in Afghanistan

He was a family friend of ours.

Army Staff Sgt. Kevin J. Kessler was a free spirit, loving life and anxious to become a new father.

He also was loyal to his troops.

Kessler, 32, of Canton, and four other soldiers were killed Monday by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan’s Arghandab River Valley.

His death was confirmed Wednesday by the U.S. Department of Defense.

“He wanted to serve America,” said his sister, Emily Lightner.

His stepmother, Sue Kessler, added: “If (his troops) were there, he wanted to be there with them.

“He wanted to watch their backs, like they would watch his.”

VIOLENT AUGUST

During August, the U.S. death toll stood at 55 in Afghanistan — 19 of those U.S. service members were killed since Saturday.

Kessler and the other four soldiers were based at Fort Carson in Colorado. His family said he was deployed Aug. 4.

Kessler, a motor transport operator, served in the 1st Battalion, 66th Armored Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division. He joined the unit Nov. 19, 2009.

Kessler joined the Army on June 2, 2004, and was deployed twice to Iraq before being sent to Afghanistan.

“He was a happy-go-lucky, free-spirit guy,” said his aunt, Jane Kmatz. “(But) he wanted to serve a purpose.”

WIFE EXPECTING

Kessler’s family threw him a party before he left the country in early July. It was a celebration, of sorts.

Kessler’s wife, Adrian, had found out she was pregnant, and they shared the good news with the entire family.

“Kevin was just so proud and so excited (about becoming a father),” Lightner said after talking Wednesday with Adrian.

Kessler was a 1996 graduate of East Canton High School, serving as class vice president.

As a youth, he was a Denver Broncos fan. Later in life, he became a die-hard supporter of the Cleveland Browns.

Sue Kessler said her last conversation with her stepson, via Facebook on Sunday, was about the Browns and their chances this season.

“He did not think in his lifetime they would win a Super Bowl. But he was hopeful,” she said.

Kessler was a heavy metal music fan and adventurer who climbed Pikes Peak in Colorado. Sue Kessler said Kevin loved to vacation in Cumberland, Ky., where the entire family would water ski and party on a houseboat during the summer.

“He enjoyed a good party,” Sue Kessler said.

Lightner said her brother was “everyone’s friend” with a sense of humor. He also was passionate about his military career.

“He was there because that’s where he was supposed to be,” she said.

Kessler is survived by his wife, Adrian; his parents and their spouses, Kristine and Rod Williams and Larry and Sue Kessler; his sisters, Emily Lightner and Laura Rohr; his brother, Daniel; his grandparents, Annie and John Rhuark and numerous other relatives.

Kessler earned 27 medals.

The other soldiers killed were Capt. Dale A. Goetz of White, S.D., Staff Sgt. Jesse Infante of Cypress, Texas, Staff Sgt. Matthew J. West of Conover, Wisc., and Pfc. Chad D. Clements of Huntington, Ind.

That's sad, very sad

That part at the top, was he a family friend of yours, or was this part of an e-mail?

PiEdude wrote:That part at the top, was he a family friend of yours, or was this part of an e-mail?

He was a family friend of ours.

Then I'm sorry for your loss

With great death, comes great life.

He's in a better place now.

His wife has the same name as mine....


*sigh*


Anyway, that is very sad.

Gauz wrote:His wife has the same name as mine....

Age: 16

What?

Gauz wrote:

PiEdude wrote:

Gauz wrote:His wife has the same name as mine....

Age: 16

What?

I lol'd Hard, I think gauz is 21 or something around there, but I dont think he has a wife...

Death no More wrote:

Gauz wrote:

PiEdude wrote:

Gauz wrote:His wife has the same name as mine....

Age: 16

What?

I lol'd Hard, I think gauz is 21 or something around there, but I dont think he has a wife...

Gauz is 16 as far as I know, and he meant that the wife(adrian) shares the same name as his own.

This is why America should pull its troops out of the whole of middle east, Muslims say there tolerant and peaceful, just like this image potrays

Esruku wrote:This is why America should pull its troops out of the whole of middle east, Muslims say there tolerant and peaceful, just like this image potrays

I sincerely hope you are kidding....

Ruski wrote:

Esruku wrote:This is why America should pull its troops out of the whole of middle east, Muslims say there tolerant and peaceful, just like this image potrays

I sincerely hope you are kidding....

wat do u mean