Vera Louise Kessels, nee Ross, of Cherryville, Missouri passed away Tuesday, September 19, 2023 in Fenton, Missouri at the age of 81 years and 21 days.

Vera was born August 29, 1942 in Dexter, MO to Jesse Franklin Ross and Mary Louellen Tidwell Ross. On September 24, 1960, Vera was united in marriage to Leroy Victor Kessels and to this union two sons and one daughter were born.

Vera and her husband Leroy moved to the Cherryville area several years ago. She attended Victory Baptist Church in Cherryville and enjoyed being a Sunday school teacher. Most of all she loved being with all of her family.

She was preceded in death by her parents; Jesse and Mary Ross; one sister, Marcella Mallory and husband, Charles; parents-in-law, Victor and Ethel Kessels; and brothers-in-law, Billy Gene Autrey and David Kessels.

She will  be sadly missed by her husband of sixty-three years this month, Leroy Kessels of Cherryville, MO; two sons, Eric (Julie) Kessels of O'Fallon, MO and Wade Kessels of Cherryville, MO; one daughter, Stephanie Schwarz of St. Louis, MO; six grandchildren, April (Eric) Bach, Leah (Aaron) Akers, Lucas (Samantha) Kessels, Levi (Kathlyn) Kessels, Logan (Mallory) Kessels and Grace (Oliver) Passalacqua; thirteen great-grandchildren, Dylan Bach, Alexas Kessels, Joseph Kessels, Justin Kessels, Laney Kessels, Maybell Kessels, Luann Kessels, Arliss Kessels, Aiden Akers, Kelsey Kessels, Sadie Kessels, Nolan Akers and Adien Akers; two brothers, Shawn (Connie) Ross of Forest, MS and David (Kathy) Ross of Union, MO; one sister, Mildred Autrey of Dexter, MO; nieces, nephews; other relatives; and friends.

The Family received friends from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 23, 2023 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, MO.

Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 23, 2023 with Rev. Roger Silvey officiating. Special memories were shared by family members and friends. Music of "It is Well with my Soul", "Hold on to God's Unchanging Hand", "Oh, I Want to See Him" and "He Touched Me" was played.

Committal prayer and interment were in the Cherryville Baptist Church Cemetery.

The Kessels Family were served by the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home of Steelville, MO.