Peg Kessinger

Margaret (Peg) Kessinger, 98, of Walshville passed away peacefully, August 2, 2024, at her home, with her daughter at her side.

Peg was born in Hazelton, North Dakota, on October 24, 1925, to Wilbur Hewitt Nelson and Sylvia (Loux) Nelson Gilbert. She was raised by her mother and stepdad A.P (Putt) Gilbert. After moving from Montana to Illinois, in 1938, Peg attended the Irving country school (Sunnyside), the 3-year high school in Irving, and graduated with the Hillsboro High School class of 1944.

After graduation, Peg received her emergency teaching certificate during WWII and taught 2 years at Root school (covering parts of Walshville, Panama and Sorento) and 1 year at Pleasant Hill school (located between Irving and Witt).

Peg taught herself how to play the piano by ear. In the early 60’s she began playing for dances in an old country school house (the Dragon’s Nest) near Hillsboro. Later, she entertained at a number of nursing homes around the county. For several years she played the piano for the Litchfield Kitchen Band and was the musician for the VFW 12th District. In the early 1980’s she formed the popular country band Rural Rhythm; after playing for 20 years with them, she decided to retire. She still played twice a month at nursing homes in Litchfield and Hillsboro for many more years.

Peg held offices in the ATA, HEA, OES, Porkettes and American Legion and was also the president of the Litchfield Senior Citizens Club. She was selected as the (one and only) Montgomery County Senior Queen and to the Old Settlers Honor Society. She also served 23 years as an election judge. Peg was a member of the Christian Church of Litchfield. 

Peg was first married to Harold Green. After their divorce, she married Joe Kessinger on July 19, 1953, by Joe’s grandfather and justice of the peace at Joe’s sisters. Peg and Joe farmed around Hillsboro, Walshville, and surrounding areas, including the County Farm, which was once the County Poor Farm where the prison now sits. Peg and Joe enjoyed 56 years together before his passing on October 16, 2009.

Surviving Peg are her children, daughter, DeeDee (Kessinger) Seabaugh of Walshville & son, Danny Kessinger of Maryville; grandchildren, Michelle (John) Trull, Joey (Emily) Seabaugh, David Seabaugh, Erin (Tom) Sullivan, David (Lauren) Kessinger, Daniel ‘DJ’ Kessinger; great grandchildren, Nolan Seabaugh, Charlie Sullivan; sister, Faye Keitel, many nieces and nephews, and son-in-law, Mike Leverone.

Preceding her in death were her husband, Joe; son, David Kessinger; daughters, Sandy (Green) Leverone and infant daughter, Judy Green; sisters, Geneva Gardner and Gail Watkins.

Peg also had eleven Nelson half-siblings that she found out about later in life, which most have passed.

Visitation: 5:00 – 7:00 pm., Tuesday, August 6, 2024, at Perfetti- Assalley Funeral Home, 201 S. Main St., Sorento, IL 62086.

Funeral: 11:00 am., Wednesday, August 7, 2024, at the funeral home.

Burial: Sunnyside Cemetery, following the funeral.

The family asks that donations be given to the Sunny Side Cemetery or the Shoal Creek Fire Protection District – Station 1, in lieu of flowers, plants, and other gifts, in memory of Peg.

Memorial contributions may be gifted at the visitation and funeral or mailed to:

Sunny Side Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 267, Sorento, IL 62086 or Shoal Creek Fire Protection District – Station 1, 101 N. Main St., Sorento, IL 62086, Sorento, IL 62086.

The family has entrusted Perfetti-Assalley Funeral Home in Sorento with the ceremonies.

Please visit www.assalleyfuneralhomes.com to share memories or offer condolences to the family.