Coen Joseph Fessel, Jr.

Coen Joseph "C.J." Fessel, Jr., of Floyd's Knobs, Indiana, passed away on September 19, 2020, comfortably at his home, surrounded by family, and under the incredible care of his wife of 52 years, Margaret Ann "Peggy" (Kruer) Fessel.

A cancer survivor since 1996, his indomitable will and strong spirit ultimately succumbed to complications from several strokes and a recent Ischemic insult to his brain stem that affected his motor functions.

He was a loving husband to Peggy. In addition to Peggy, he is survived by sons Paul of Franklin, Tennessee, and Kevin of Floyds Knobs; grandsons, Brandon and Riley and their mother, Christie (Buddemeyer) Fessel; and siblings, Douglas (Janice) Fessel, Joyce Shultz, and Jeff (Rebecca) Fessel, all of Floyds Knobs. He has more in-laws, nieces, and nephews than can be easily counted and blessed with more friends than most. He is preceded in death by his parents, Coen Joseph Fessel, Sr., and Beatrice (Diezeman) Fessel; father- and mother-in-law, Edward "Butch" and Mary Margaret (Koetter) Kruer; and brothers-in-law, Larry Shultz and Mark "Moose" Balmer.

Through his life, C.J. was the first to lend a hand. A shade-tree mechanic, passable plumber, and mostly questionable electrician, he never let unfamiliarity stand in his way of building or fixing anything, or at least trying to fix it, blistering it with profanities if the level of brokenness exceeded his ability to repair the offending device.

A 1963 Graduate of Our Lady of Providence High, he was on the receiving end of his share of well-deserved whacks on the knuckles from the nuns and other authority figures that he loved to torment. He served as a tanker out of Ft. Knox in the US Army reserves from 1964-1970.

Paul and Kevin inherited most, if not all, of his mischievousness. While Coen, Sr., and Beatrice reveled in the fact that he had 2 sons that acted like him, he was less amused with their antics. Thankfully Peggy was there to ensure their mutual survival, otherwise it's hard telling what would have happened if left to their own devices. Which is only fair; after all she agreed to propagate C.J.'s genetic makeup.

C.J. retired from SONOCO in New Albany after 38 years of service, spending his golden years fixing things (that he often broke to begin with), involved with his grandson's activities, and enjoying visits to the riverboat casinos with Peggy.

When remembering C.J., help a friend, lend a hand, and steadfastly sacrifice of yourself to provide for others. C.J. outran cancer for 24 years and battled through the side effects of strokes for over 4 years. Ultimately he found something that couldn't be fixed, and his body couldn't keep up with his spirit, which is now free.

Visitation will be from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, September 25, 2020, at Newcomer Cremations, Funerals & Receptions (3309 Ballard Lane, New Albany). His Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday at St. Mary of the Knobs Catholic Church (5719 St. Mary's Road, Floyds Knobs, IN 47119).

Memorial contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society (PO Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718) or Hosparus Health of Southern Indiana (502 Hausfeldt Lane, New Albany, IN 47150-9911).

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