James W. Kestner
September 28, 1932 ~ May 9, 2006
James W. Kestner 73 of Follansbee, WV died May 9, 2006 at Trinity West Medical Center in Steubenville, OH. He was born September 28, 1932 in Toronto, OH, son of the late William and Regina Hickey Kestner. He was preceded in death by his first Wife Carolyn Jo Suplee in 1968, and infant daughter in 1956 and a brother Gerald in 1963.
He served his country in the US Navy from 1952 to 1956. He retired in 1991, after 41 years from Weirton Steel Co. as an electronic repairman in the Strip Steel Dept. He was an assistant coach for the Jr. Dons Football team from 1958 to 1967. He was an avid golfer and bowler, bowling for the same team, 54 Tandem in the Weirton Steel League from 1956 to 2005. He was a member of St Anthony Catholic Church in Follansbee, WV, Knights of Columbus #3734 and the VFW #2716.
He is survived by his loving wife Lillian Cole Hill Kestner; daughter Karri Lynn Gutwald and her husband Rick of Weirton, WV; sons James Hill and his wife Gigi of Carollton, OH, and George Jeffery Hill and his wife Lisa of Chesapeake, VA; four granddaughters Season Jo Gutwald of Herdon, VA, Jennifer Hill of Uniontown, OH, and Jamie and Jordan Hill of Carollton, OH; and three grandsons Ryan, Owen, and Lucas Hill of Chesapeake, VA.
Visitation will be Thursday from 2-4 and 7-9PM at the Greco-Hertnick Funeral Home, 3219 Main St, Weirton, WV where a Knights of Columbus rosary will be recited at 7:00PM Thursday in the funeral home. Funeral Liturgy with Mass will be Friday, 10:00AM at St Anthony’s Church in Follansbee, WV. Interment will follow at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Weirton.
Memorial contributions can be made to the American Diabetes Association, 1221A Ohio Ave, PO Box 1115, Dunbar, WV 25064
Share tributes with his family at www.grecohertnick.com
Our hearts go out to you Lillian, Karri, Jim, Jeff and your families. We were so sad to hear of Jim’s passing and wish we could be there with you during this difficult time. May you draw strength from the love we feel for all of you and know that our thoughts and prayers are with you. With Love, Erin, Del, Brandon and Tyler
Dear Lill, I first met Jim when I was a young man aspiring to get a job where he worked in the Electronics Shop. After getting that job, Jim took me in just like a big brother. Over the years I learned to love him as a big brother. He was always kind to fellow workers and never had a bad word to say about anyone. I guess one may say that he LIVED his faith and demonstrated it openly. He was my sponser when I became a Knight of Columbus and it seems he never missed a meeting and trying to help as much as he could when we had special projects such as our “Tootsie Roll Drive” for the mentally handicapped. Rest assured, Lill, that his kindnesses will not go unrewarded in Heaven. God bless you. Dom
Dear Aunt Lillian, Karri & Rick, Jim & Gigi, Jeff & Lisa and grandchildren: We are very sorry for your loss. We wish we could have been there this weekend to celebrate the life of a wonderful father, grandfather, husband, uncle and friend. Our lives are richer for having had uncle Jim him in them. Love, John D, Janet, Ryan & Samantha
Dear Lillian, Karri, Season, Rick, We were so sorry to hear about Uncle Jim’s passing. Although we could not be there this weekend, you have been in our prayers. I thought you would like to know that Mike stopped at Our Mother of Sorrows Catholic church on Friday to light a candle and say a prayer. Please know that we wish you all the love and strength during this time of sorrow. Take care. Love, Kristin, Mike, Josh & Jason