Thomas Dick Kesterson
20 March 1862 - 3 January 1946
Son of Gross S & Narcissus (Easterly) Kesterson
Husband of Nancy Alice Brown

Nancy Alice (Brown) Kesterson
6 February 1865 - 20 February 1952
Wife of Thomas Dick Kesterson

Obituary:

Thomas Dick Kesterson, son of Rev. Gross Scruggs and Narcissus Kesterson, was born four miles west of Odessa, March 20, 1862 and departed this life Jan. 3, 1946, being 83 years 9 month and 14 days of age. Practically his entire lifetime was spent within a mile of his birthplace. On Nov. 16, 1887 he took his bride, Nancy Alice Brown to live on the farm which his grandfather, John Kesterson had settled in 1846. Here they spent more than 58 years together. To this union four children were born; William Harvey and Thomas Gross, twins, died in infancy. A daughter, Mrs. Virgie Hammond of Columbia and a son, Earl Kesterson of Kansas City survive. Surviving him in addition to his wife and two children are four grandchildren; W.M. Hammond, Jr. Elgin, Ill, Kestie Hammond of Dayton, Ohio, Bob Kesterson of the U.S. Navy and Norma Jean Kesterson of Kansas City. The Kestersons were among the families which came from England to the United States in early colonial days. His Great Great Grandfather married a Miss Henry, sister of Patrick Henry soon after his arrival in America. (This is not correct. He did not marry Patrick Henry's sister). At an early age Mr. Kesterson united with the Concord Baptist Church. Later he held membership in the Bates City and Odessa Baptist Church, Jan. 5, 1946, conducted by Rev. Stanton Kesterson of Kingsville, assisted by Rev. John Crutchfield of Armour Heights Baptist Church of Kansas City. The body was laid to rest in the family plot. Of him it could be truly said, "He loved his home and his neighbors. "Thou shalt come to the grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in his season".

Mrs. T.D. Kesterson, 86, died at 10:30 o'clock last night at the home of her daughter Mrs. W.M. Hammond, 1607 Windsor Street where she had lived for the past five years. Mrs. Kesterson spent most of her life near Odessa where she was born February 6, 1866 to Mr. and Mrs. W.C. Brown. She was married in 1887 and for almost 50 years she and her husband lived on the Kesterson homestead. He died in 1946. Survivors besides her daughter are a son, Earl Kesterson, Des Moines Iowa, four grandchildren; and one great grandchild. Funeral services will be held tomorrow afternoon in Odessa and burial will be in Concord Cemetery. Those from out of town attending the T.D. Kesterson funeral were: Rev. and Mrs. W.M. Hammond, Columbia MO; Mr. and Mrs. Earl Kesterson and Norma Jean, Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Kesterson, Miss FLora Ellen Fain, Mr. and Mrs. Fuller, Art Jones, William Shaw, Rev. John Crutchfield, Joe Devel, Mr. and Mrs. Dave Clark and Joan and Mr. and Mrs. Oscar West of Kansas City MO; Mrs. Clarence Richardson, Mrs. Louis Gloyne, Dr. Howard Gloyne, Miss Mildred Fulhage ofKansas City KS; S.T. Brown,Harrison AR; Mrs. Lucy Hader, Mr. andMrs. Kenneth Hader, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Dion, Will Craddock, Mrs. Walter Graham and Miss Joan Graham ofIndependence;Mr. and Mrs. Luther Sartin, Warrensburg; Mr. and Mrs. John Kesterson, Sedalia; Rev. Stanton Kesterson, Kingsville; and Finley Kesterson of Holden.

Memorial Service - Mrs. T.D. Kesterson - Odessa MO Friday Mary 14, 1952
The Pleasant Grove W.P.F.A. met with Mrs. Edgar Gibson Wednesday March 5, 1952 for an all day meeting. After a delicious luncheon the business meeting was called to order by the president Mrs. Gibson. Devotional was given by Mrs. Sanders, Roll call was answered with "Famour People Born in February". Eleven members were present. A report of County Board meeting given by Mrs. Ruby Ford. The messenger was read by Frances McCarthy and an interesting Legislative number was given by Mrs. Ruby Ford. A discussion of the Anniversary Part, to be held at Legion Hall in Higginsville Friday evening, March 14, 1952 and a food committee were discussed. The club sent a basket of fruit to Miss Beulah Eagan who was ill and unable to attend the meeting. A memorial service was held for Mrs. Alice Kesterson and a letter was read by Mrs. Ruby Ford as a loving tribute to her memory The club gave a rising vote of thanks to the hostess for a lovely day in her home. Guests present were Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Campbell, Miss Mary Virginia Gibson, Mr. Albert Johnson, Jason Douthit, Mr. and Mrs. Doyle Bowlin and Duane and the host Mrs. Gibson.

Thomas Dick Kesterson March 20, 1862 - January 3, 1946 born and died in Odessa Missouri. Son of Gross Scruggs Kesterson 11 Oct, 1823-June 22, 1905 and Narcissus Easterly 23 March 1823-27 May 1880. Grandson of John & Sarah (Davis)Kesterson. Children: Mrs. Virgie Kesterson and Earl Kesterson. Brothers: Abram P., John W., David, Millard, Frank E., Isaac E. and sisters Sarah Ann, Mary E., Rosa and Lucy Jane.

Services: Concord Baptist Church Jan. 5, 1946 2 p.m.: Officiating Cleryg - Rev. Stanton Kesterson, Rev. John Crutchfield, Prayer. Interment in Concord Cemetery Bates City, MO. Laid to rest 3 p.m. Saturday Jan. 5, 1946.

Music: Face to Face; Nearer My God To Thee; God Be With You -rendered by Mrs. Clark, Mrs. Hunt and accompanied by Mrs. Ethel Ferguson.

Bearers: Edgar Gibson, Frank Curtis, Scofield Burton, henryLudlam, Dan Jorgensen, Jim Beedinger.

Societies Attending: Pleasant Grove Social Club, Pleasant Grove Farm Club.

Attending: Mrs. Alice Kesterson, Rev. & Mrs. Wm. Hammond, Mr.& Mrs Earl Kesterson, Norma Jean Kesterson, Mr. & Mrs. Isaac Kesterson; Mr. & Mrs. John Kesterson, Ora Richardson, Eva & Howard Gloyne, Stanton Kesterson, Finley Kesterson, Florence Barnett, Lenora Reed, Lucy Wakeman, Mr. & Mrs. Curtis Wakeman; Mildred Fulhage, Lucy Haden, Genevieve & Fred Dion, Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth Haden, Thomas Brown, Will Craddock, Irma Brown, James Brown, Mabel Crews, Mr. & Mrs. Brant Griffin; Sallie Schrimsher, Mr.& Mrs. Virgil Harp, Mr. & Mrs. Gilbert Thurman, Mr. & Mrs. Glen Ryland,Mr. & Mrs. Ernet Hergermiller, Pearl Sullivan, Mr. & Mrs. Virgil Morris, Wickular's, Emmet Geraughty & Grace; Mrs. King, Ludlah family & Daughter, Mrs. Curtis, Frank & Ronnie; Alice Garvin, Ida Gillespie, C. Evans family; Nelson Davidson family, Mary Beth Kesterson, Mr. Husman, Dorothy Husman, Mrs. Johnson, Mr. and Mrs. Gibson, Flora Ellen Fain, Mr. and Mrs. Fuller, Art Jones, William Shaw, Oscar West and family, Rev. John Crutchfield, Joe Denel, Dan Jorgenson, Birdie Jorgenson, Dave Clark family & Joan, Mr. and Mrs. herbert McDonald, Denny Ball and Miss Forrest Ball; Mr. C. Ball, Mr. and Mrs. Luther Sartin, Peggy Bowlin, Charley Brown, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Eagan; Mr. and Mrs. Scofield Burton, Ronnie Curtis, Mr. and Mrs. J.V. Kesterson Jr. and Son, Florence Laughlin, Mrs. Dorothy Graham, Joan Graham, Mr. and Mrs. J.W> Roberts, Mrs. Harvey Brown, Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Crews, Mr. Marion Brown, ALlen Reed.

Biography: Thomas Dick Kesterson, son of Rev. Gross Scruggs and Narcissus Kesterson was born four miles west of Odessa March 20, 1862 and departed this life Jan. 3, 1946 being 83 yrs. 9 mt. and 14 days. Practically his entire life was lived within a mile of his birthplace. At an early age he united with the Concord Baptist Church. Later he held membership in Bates City & Odessa Baptist Churches. Nov. 16, 1887 he was united in marriage to Nancy Alice Brown. To this union were four children William Harvey and Thomas Gross died in infancy. Survivinghim are his wife, a daughter Mrs. Virgie Hammond of Columbia MO and son Earl Kesterson of K.C. Mo. 4 grandchildren W.M. Hammond Jr., Elgin IL, Kestie Hammond, Dayton Ohio, Bob Kesterson US Navy, Norma Jean Kesterson K.C. Mo and a brother I.E. Kesterson Yates Center Kansas and numerous other relatives.

Flowers: Davidson, Fulhage, Tannehill, Krueger, Graham, Goheen, Roberts, Pleasant Gove Social Club, Pleasant Grove WPFA, Moore, Ball, Ferguson, Reynolds, Null, Hannah, Waldo neighbors, M.B.A> of KC Power and Light Co, Elmwood Lodge IOOF, Hader, Craccodk, Ryland, Schrmsher, Harp, Sullivan, Elmwood Rebekah Lodge 222, Brown, Griffin, Gott, Crews, I.E. Kesterson, Mildred Fulhage, Richardson, Gloyne, J.V. Kesterson, Stringer