Lester W. "Buz" Kessel Jr

Lester W. “Buz” Kessel Jr., 86, died June 26, 2007, in Fallbrook, CA. Born September 17, 1920, in Kaiser, WV, he was a resident of Fallbrook for 61 years.

Mr. Kessel served in the US Army Air Corps during WWII as a pilot flying Martin B-26 medium bombers in the European Theater with the 397th Bombardment Group, 9th Air Force. Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal, he was released from active duty in 1947 as a Major and squadron commander. Mr. Kessel was a farmer in the Fallbrook area for more than 60 years.

Mr. Kessel was preceded in death by wife Claire Kessel in 2003. He is survived by daughter Barbara Kessel, Fallbrook; sons and daughters-in-law Carl Kessel, Ramona, George and Kris Kessel, Albert Lea, MN, Mike and Brenda Kessel, Bakersfield, and Ed and Gina Kessel, Wildomar; sister Mary Schonaman, Gettysburg, PA; nine grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, July 7, 2007, at 1 p.m. at Berry-Bell & Hall Mortuary in Fallbrook. There will be a private cremation.

Berry-Bell & Hall Mortuary handled the arrangements.