Carl E. ‘Corkey’ Kesler

Carl E. “Corkey” Kesler, 88, died at 4:02 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, at OSF St. Anthony’s Health Center in Alton.

He was born on Jan. 8, 1933, in Elco, the son of McTitus and Cynthia Ann Provo Kesler.

He married Linda Sue Gullett on Nov. 7, 1964, in Edwardsville. She survives.

A corporal in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict, he worked as an adjuster and key press operator in the cupping department of Olin Corp. for 44 years before his retirement. He also owned several rental homes in the East Alton area. He was a 1950 graduate of Ullin High School. 

He was an accomplished musician, and played in several area bands, most recently the Gene Maynard Band. He was a hard-working man.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by a daughter, Rhonda Keeney of Brighton; a son, Randy Kesler of East Alton; eight grandchildren, Mikki Dearing, Michael Taylor Bonbrake, Martin Keeney, Brandi Jackson, Erik Kesler, Daniel Spickerman, Shelby Spickerman and James Stanton; six great-grandchildren; a half-sister, Loretta Grant of Anna; and two half-brothers, Perry Roe of Aurora and Larry Roe of Collinsville.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Patricia Spickerman and a half-brother, Everett “Butch” Roe.

Funeral services were at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 28, at Paynic Home for Funerals in East Alton.

An online guestbook is available at www.paynicfh.com.