Obituary for Mrs. Nila Jean Vessels Nila “Jean” (Abshier) Vessels, 79, died on April 2, 2018 at Redbanks Skilled Nursing Center in Henderson. Jean was born on July 1, 1938 to the late Raleigh Abshier and Thelma Young Abshier in Rockport, IN. At Rockport High School she nurtured her love for art and music and played the French horn in the school band.
After marrying, she moved to Owensboro and started a family with her husband of 58 years. She then devoted herself to him and their 4 children. She took an active interest in their well-being and in the children’s education.
For several years she volunteered as an art teacher in their elementary school classes and taught art to neighborhood children and others. She also established the family home as a place where her children’s friends were welcome to drop by anytime to enjoy hours of fun and share meals. At Precious Blood Elementary School, where she worked for many years as assistant to the parish priest, she established and led a hand bell choir.
Jean was a talented artist throughout her life, specializing in pastels, oil and tole painting, quilling, various crafts, and quilting. Always filled with compassion and an expansive view of love and mutual caring – and despite the risk of controversy – she created and lead groups who made lap quilts for people living with AIDS and inmates on death row. Jean is survived by her husband, Billy Vessels, of Owensboro; her children Mark (Patsy) Vessels of Owensboro, Jeff (Gilberto Gerald) Vessels of New York, NY, Becky Vessels of Utica, and Cindy Vessels of Owensboro; grandchildren Sarah Daniel of Owensboro, Nicholas Vessels of Owensboro, Tonya Daniel of Utica, Jessica Vessels of Owensboro, Matthew Daniel of Utica, and Kelsey Minto of Owensboro; great-grandchildren Ethan Howard of Owensboro, Kylie Greenwell of Utica, Trinity Ralph of Owensboro, Zeke Ralph of Owensboro, and Nevaeh Buckman of Utica.
She is also survived by her siblings Jeanice Scheessele, Sam Abshier, and Bill Abshier. She was preceded in death by her brother Jim Abshier and her sister Darlene Schwoeppe. The family gives special thanks to the entire staff at Redbanks Skilled Nursing Center and to St. Anthony’s Hospice of Henderson for their care.
A memorial service will be at 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 4, 2018 at Haley McGinnis Funeral Home & Crematory. Visitation will be from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Haley McGinnis Funeral Home and Crematory is both honored and privileged to be entrusted with the care of Nila “Jean” Vessels.
Share your messages of condolence with the family of Nila “Jean” Vessels at www. haleymcginnis.com. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Mrs. Nila Jean Vessels please visit our Sympathy Store.
Previous Events Visitation 2018 APR 4. 02:00 PM – 05:00 PM Haley McGinnis Funeral Home & Crematory 519 Locust St. Owensboro, KY, US, 42301 info@haleymcginnis.com www. haleymcginnis.com Memorial 2018 APR 4.
05:00 PM Haley McGinnis Funeral Home & Crematory 519 Locust St. Owensboro, KY, US, 42301 info@haleymcginnis.com www.
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