John Arthur Hesler

      John A. Hesler passed away on Thursday, March 16, 2023, at the age of 89 in Beaver Oklahoma. A memorial service will be held, Monday, March 20, at the First United Methodist Church in Beaver, Oklahoma at 2 pm.

      John was born January 15, 1934 in Waynoka, Oklahoma to Raleigh and Margaret (Peters) Hesler. He graduated from Waynoka High School in 1952. While there, he was active in the band and played baseball and basketball. He then attended Oklahoma A&M College and received a degree in animal husbandry in 1956, the last year before it was changed to Oklahoma State University. John was in Agriculture and Block & Bridle as well as the ROTC. He then entered the army where he was in the security agency at Fort Devens, Massachusetts, until 1958 when he entered the reserves and was officially discharged in 1962 with a good conduct medal. He then worked as a herdsman in Indiana before returning to Oklahoma to work at Central National Bank in Alva, Oklahoma. He then worked at Retail Credit Bureau in Alva where he met the love of his life, Barbara Malone. They were married on June 2, 1963. He worked in several banks in Oklahoma before retiring from the banking business and started driving a water truck for Nichols Water Service.

      John enjoyed spending time with his family. He loved helping his children raise and show livestock. He was an honorary member of 4-H. He also enjoyed watching his grandsons play sports, and spoiling his great grandchildren. He and Barbara enjoyed traveling around the country and camping in their travel trailer. They visited many places, but his favorite spot was Stillwater. Anyone who knew him knew that he loved the Oklahoma State Cowboys. Whether it was football, basketball, baseball, or wrestling he was always loyal and true.

      John was preceded in death by his parents, his sister and brother-in-law, Eileen and Hiram Bixler, in-laws, Nellie and Hobart Malone and son-in-law, Mark Lumley. He is survived by his wife, Barbara, and two children, Larry Hesler and his wife, Sherry, and their son and daughter-in-law, Aaron and Lauren; Lori and David Stollings and children, Skipper Lumley and his wife, Kayla, and children, Maci, Creed, and Colton; and Dillon Lumley and daughter, Hazel, and a number of great nieces and nephews and a host of family friends.

      In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.