Obituary of Jacqueline Schaefer Kesler

Jacqueline Schaefer Kesler joined her husband Jack Allen Kesler in heaven on December 20, 2024. She was 96 years old.  Jacque will be remembered forever as a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, friend, and, as she would say, “a doer!”

Jacque is survived by her sons Dr. Kenneth A. Kesler, Stephen J. Kesler (Mary Ann), and daughter Alayne K. “Lannie” Thompson (John); and her grandchildren, who gave Jacque great joy: Christi, Matthew, Brian, Jackie, and Jean; and her great-grandchildren Harper, Liam, Sam, and Emmalyn.

Jacque was born to Kenneth and Eleanor Schaefer in Chicago, Illinois, on October 31, 1928.  That’s right – on Halloween – never a more unlikely day for the birth of such a kind soul. The family moved from Chicago to Speedway, Indiana, where she often reminisced that she walked to St. Christopher’s Church’s morning mass with a coat over her PJ’s. Jacque graduated # 2 in her class at Speedway High School. She then headed to Indiana University, where she was a member of Alpha Phi Sorority, and graduated within three years. After graduation she attended Indiana University Medical School.

Through the years Jacque played a critical role in the family’s business, Kesler Schaefer Auto Auction, which was founded in 1943 by her parents Ken and Eleanor Schaefer. Jacque worked at the auction in whatever capacity was needed. In 2013 Jack and Jacque were awarded the National Auto Auction Pioneer Award by the National Auto Auction Association.

Jacque and Jack raised their children in Indianapolis’ Washington Township Schools. A stay-at-home mom, Jacque was proud to support every aspect of her children’s lives – Little League Baseball; Boy and Girl Scouts; PTO positions at Crooked Creek Elementary, Westlane Junior High, and North Central High School; plus sleepovers, backyard basketball, and baseball games, and many activities at the Dolphin Club and Country Club of Indianapolis.

Jacque was also quite an athlete herself, enjoying tennis, bowling, and golf. Amazingly, Jacque joined her husband Jack on the Quail West (Naples, FL) hole-in-one recognition board in 1999, with her hole-in-one six years after Jack’s inaugural hole-in-one at Quail West.

Jacque’s faith was of utmost importance to her. She taught Sunday School for many years, led family grace and prayers, and modeled a Christian life.

The Kesler family says thank you to our mom – a consummate thank-you note writer – for being the best mom, grandmother, and great-grandmother in the world to us:  For always working hard and wanting the best for us; for putting the ultimate importance on family, church, and school; for teaching us lessons about money – 30 cents allowance a week (10 cents for church, 10 cents to save, 10 cents to spend) – for insisting we go to church, for teaching us that prayer and faith are answers to life’s problems and a path to success;  for disciplining us and teaching us right from wrong; for golf lessons and opportunities to play; for showing us how to enjoy the outdoors; for insisting we do our best in school; for always loving us beyond-beyond (“Hot house plants,”  as she and our grandmother, Eleanor, known as “Boss,” used to call us); for making a house a home; for decorating for and celebrating every birthday and holiday; for insisting on family photos, in spite of groans from our Dad; and for modeling a loving marriage.

Jacque’s life was remarkable – a full, blessed life filled with faith and love. She will be so very missed by family and friends.

Thanks, too, to Julie Potter, Kenny Wemer, Marilyn Hulskotter, and Mary Neal, who have been dear friends to Jacque, and to the Kesler family, to the end. Thanks also to the Hoosier Village Health Center and all the kind caregivers and staff there.

Visitation will be held at St. Christopher Catholic Church in Speedway on Friday, December 27, 2024, at 9:00 am, followed by a funeral service there at 10:00 am. Burial will be private, held at Crown Hill Mausoleum. Funeral arrangements will be provided by Stevens Mortuary.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to St. Christopher Catholic Church, 5301 W. 16^th Street, Indianapolis, Indiana, 46224; or plant a flower or tree of your choice to enjoy and remember Jacque.