Paintsville, Kentucky was the final resting place of Dr. Robert Kesler, who passed away Dec. 13, 2003 after a long bout with emphysema.
Dr. Kesler graduated from Palmer College of Chiropractic in 1962, served on its faculty, and practiced for 32 years in Paintsville.
Numerous relatives attended the funeral services, including Dr. Kesler's former wife, Phyllis. He had been a doting father to her three children, and her youngest son, Jonathan, read a stirring eulogy, referring to country-western artist Brad Paisley's song about the dad "He Didn't Have to Be."
Helen Kileen Peet, DC
On Dec. 22, 2003, Dr. Helen Kileen Peet passed away at her residence in Burlington, Vermont. The 82-year-old chiropractor had recently celebrated her 58th wedding anniversary with husband and fellow chiropractor Nelson R. Peet, DC.
Helen was a graduate of Mt. St. Mary's Academy, Syracuse University, and Palmer College of Chiropractic, and a postgraduate faculty member of Life University. She and her husband maintained Peet and Peet Chiropractic of Newburgh, New York for many years. Noted for her specialty in caring for infants, mothers and children, Dr. Peet was known to many as the "grandmother of pediatric chiropractic."
Surviving family members include her husband, Dr. Nelson Peet; children Drs. Paul C. Peet, Palmer M. Peet, Parry A. Peet and Paula E. Peet; and eight grandchildren.
Edward Shanken, DC
On Dec. 26, 2003, tragedy befell Seneca Falls, New York residents Edward Shanken, DC, and his wife, Diane, whose bodies were found in the rubble of their home following a fire of unknown origin. The two had been married since 1955.
Dr. Shanken enjoyed a chiropractic career highlighted by a term as vice president of college advancement for New York Chiropractic College (NYCC). He was also active in his community: Following his retirement in 1993, he served as president of the Seneca County Chamber of Commerce and as a Rotary Club member.
Fellow chamber and club member Doris Wolf remembered Dr. Shanken: "He cared about this community and worked very hard to make it a wonderful place." She noted that the doctor and his wife had recently enjoyed a Christmas holiday with their family that ended only hours before the fire.
James W. "Jim" Burson, DC
Popular doctor of chiropractic James W. Burson passed away Feb. 20 at the age of 69. He was a 1956 Palmer College of Chiropractic graduate who owned and operated the Burson Clinic of Chiropractic in Monroe, Georgia for more than 40 years. He was also a member of the National Guard and the Walton County Board of Commissioners.
Characterized as a man with "a wonderful sense of humor and a great, outgoing personality," by county Tax Assessor Ricky Dillard, Dr. Burson left a legacy of proud service to chiropractic patients. Michael Hughes, DC, who currently operates Dr. Burson's clinic, recalled what he learned from his former colleague: "The two most important things he ever taught me were that you have to love your patients, and you have to pray for your patients."
"He truly cared about the people he treated," added Dr. Hughes. "To me, nobody loved people more than he did."
Jerry William Moffett, DC
Dr. Jerry W. Moffett died at his home in Bolivar, Missouri on Feb. 25. He was 67 years of age. Born to Fred and Verna Ford Moffett in 1936, Jerry served in the Korean War and attended Baptist Bible College in Chicago before attending Palmer Chiropractic College. Shortly after his graduation in 1969, Dr. Moffett and his wife, Peggy, moved to Bolivar, where he opened his practice.
Dr. Moffett is survived by his wife; mother Verna Moffett; children Jeff, Joel, Jay and Julie (Graver); brother Stanley Moffett; six grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
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