Janet L. (Hammer) Kessel, age 88 of Massillon, passed away peacefully Sunday, October 13, 2024 at Aultman Compassionate Care Center. She was born January 23, 1936, in Massillon, the daughter of the late Norbert and Mabel (Halter) Hammer. Janet was a graduate of St. Barbara School, and a 1954 graduate of Central Catholic High School. She retired from Perry School District in 1998 as a monitor. She was a member of Divine Mercy Parish - St. Mary Campus and the Alter Rosary Society.

She married John R. Kessel on May 4, 1963 at St. Barbara Church. He preceded her in death on October 27, 2021.  Janet is survived by four children, eight grandchildren, one step-grandson and one step-great-granddaughter. Daughter Jodi Kessel (Marc) Szpiszar of Hubertus, Wisconsin, children Matthew Lyon (wife Nettie Rauch) of West Allis, WI, Madison Lyon (fiancé Alyssa Padilla) of Germany, and Andrew Szpiszar (fiancé Carlie Walker), and their daughter Oakley Rae Szpiszar of Oak Creek, WI. Sons Jeffrey (Candy) Kessel, children Hannah and Ryan of Massillon, Jonathan (Jennifer) Kessel, children Jackson and Jordyn of Canton, and Joel (Cathy) Kessel, children Jenna and Cole of Dublin, Ohio. Further survived by her brothers Norbert "Skip" Hammer of Brewster, and Harold "Butch" and his wife Helen Hammer of Dublin, Ohio.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11 AM on Monday, October 28, 2024 at Divine Mercy Parish- St. Mary Campus, 206 Cherry Rd. NE, with Rev. Edward Gretchko as celebrant. Janet will be interred in the St. Mary section of the St. Joseph Cemetery. Family and friends will be received on Sunday, October 27 from 5PM to 7PM at Heitger Funeral Home - Massillon Chapel, 639 1st St NE, Massillon. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to St. Vincent dePaul Society of St. Mary, 2813 Lincoln Way W., Massillon, OH 44647 or Aultman Compassionate Care Center 2821 Woodlawn Avenue NW. Canton, OH 44708. Condolences to the family may be made at www.heitger.com Heitger Funeral Home and Crematory 330-833-3248

St. Mary's St. Vincent DePaul Society
2809 Lincoln Way NW, Massillon OH 44647
Tel: 1-330-833-8501

Compassionate Care Center / Aultman Hospice
2821 Woodlawn Ave. N.W., Canton OH 44708
Tel: 1-330-479-7450
Web: http://www.aultman.org/hospicegifts