Doris Kesler, 92, died Saturday, Dec. 27, 2014, of natural causes at her home on Winona Lake.

On Dec. 18, 1922, she was born in Warsaw, to Arden and Pauline (Wood) Kincaide. She was united in marriage to Robert Haimbaugh Kesler in 1946, who preceded her in death on Nov. 1, 2003.

Kesler retired, from Warsaw Community Schools Central Administration Office, in 1986. She was a member of First United Methodist Church, Warsaw and attended Warsaw Evangelical Presbyterian Church. She was also a member of Tri Kappa Sorority and precinct committee woman for the Republican Party.

She is survived by two children, Susan (and spouse James) Wagner, Plymouth and Stephen (and spouse Kim) Kesler, Warsaw; 10 grandchildren, Scott (and spouse Katrina) Wagner, Julie Wagner (and spouse Chad) Schwietert, Kirsten Fatchett, Cole (and spouse Megan) Fatchett, Rob (and spouse Bethany) Kesler, Ross (and spouse Kristen) Kesler, Kara (and spouse Wes) Whisler, Kyla (and spouse Wesley) Snoddy, Kandi Kesler and Rhett Kesler. She is also survived by 15 great-grandchildren, Vaughn Schwietert, Griffin Schwietert, Adelyn Wagner, Palmer Wagner, Nolan Kesler, Serina Kesler, Charlotte Kesler, Knox Kesler, Violet Kesler, Nova Snoddy, Isabelle Snoddy, Gwyn Whisler, Molly Whisler, Vivyan Whisler and Maddox Fatchett.

Kesler was also preceded in death by her daughter, Nancy Fatchett.

As a lifelong resident of Warsaw, Kesler was proud of her roots and proud of her city. Kesler loved people. When she was working for the school corporation she knew everyone and everyone knew her. Her kind heart and giving spirit made her a favorite. When she was growing up it was her grandmother who took her to church and Sunday school every Sunday to establish what became a lifetime of of faith and service for her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She loved to study the Bible and was always excited when she learned new things. In recent days she became very thrilled and interested in her future home in heaven with the Lord, and she joyfully looked forward to being reunited with her beloved husband Bob, her daughter Nancy and other loved ones who had gone on before.

She personified the person with “an attitude of gratitude.” She was a woman of grit. Her endurance and stamina were amazing. She did have some difficult circumstances in her life. Yet she always rose above circumstances. Depending upon the Lord, and continuing to do good to others,Kesler lived a glowing an amazing life. She would talk of “the miracle of 1982,” which was when she and Bob mortgaged their house to buy the van chassis and materials to build the first Explorer conversion van.

She always considered it to be a special gift from God that the Lord opened the door for that business enterprise to grow and to become one of the major companies in this area. She explained that she thanked the Lord every day for that miracle, and every day she would also pray with thanksgiving for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was also very generous. She knew that all of the blessings she enjoyed were from the Lord and she was quick to share and assist others. She was a dog lover. She and Bob always had a dog, and after Bob was gone, Kesler continued to have her dog as a faithful companion. She contributed generously to the Kosciusko County Animal Shelter.

Even in her 90s Kesler lived life large and was so active and engaged in life that her lifestyle and activities were like those of someone in their 50s and 60s. She was an avid golfer and her golf game did not slow down until she was in her upper 80s. She was sharp as a tack until her last breath. Doris had many friends in Indiana and in Florida. She enjoyed getting together for family holidays, festivities, sporting events, games, bridge and other social gatherings.

She embodied the saying, “If you want a friend, then be a friend.” Because of her winsome personality and the genuineness of her caring heart, people were always drawn to Doris and everyone always liked her. In the center of her heart was her deep love of her family she enjoyed sharing the latest pictures of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She particularly enjoyed the technology of sharing over the Internet through email, and with her iPad. She knew that many things in this life ultimately are of little consequence. But she always knew that family really counts. All in her family were made to be better people because of Kesler and her love

Kesler was engaged in what was going on in the nation and the world. In fact, she could not even understand those who were unaware of current events or did not seem to care about the well-being of America. She was indeed a staunch Republican, but it was more than that. She was a conservative Republican. She did not compromise her conservative political beliefs, and it definitely bothered her when national or local politicians would forget their conservative roots and promises.

Visitation hours will be from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 30, in McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapel, Warsaw.

A funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31, in Warsaw Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Warsaw with Pastor Denny Wilson officiating. Burial will follow in Oakwood Cemetery, Warsaw.

Memorial contributions may be made to Animal Welfare League of Kosciusko County, 3489 East 100 South, Warsaw, Indiana 46582.

To sign the guestbook or send condolences electronically, go to mchattonsadlerfuneralchapels.com