On Friday, January 1, 2021, Constance "Connie" G. Kessler, loving wife and mother of two, passed away at home in Collinsville with family by her side at the age of 70.

Connie was born April 10, 1950 in East St. Louis, IL, to Homer and Frances ( nee Fincher ) McLaughlin.  She graduated from Collinsville High School in 1968.  From a young age in her parents' family business, she learned to put the customer first.  She found her spark in going the extra mile for clients for over a decade and a half in real estate with Hartmann Realtors after her children had grown where she was a multi-million dollar producer and attained many awards.

While raising her children, Connie was everyone's "other mom," involved at Twin Echo School, St. John UCC, Cub Scouts, and the soccer and baseball fields.  Hosting high school exchange students and her kids' college friends, everyone was family.

Connie found joy in life through music, dancing (doing the limbo even when she knew she was too old to), riding on motorcycles, playing cards with family, and decorating for the holidays.  She loved Halloween extravaganzas on Maple Street and Alco Drive through the years.

Her life was too short.  She was loved.  She will be indescribably missed.

She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Michael McLaughlin.

She leaves behind Donald Kessler, her longtime friend and her beloved husband of 18 years.  She will be greatly missed by her sons and their families: Andy (Wendy) Blumberg and adored grandchildren, David and Jessie of Springboro, OH, and Adam (Megan Carr) Blumberg of Philadelphia, PA.  She was an integral part of the McLaughlin family and will be missed by her brother and sisters: Dixie Likens, Harry McLaughlin, Sue (Russell) Whitworth, and Patricia (Tony) Coziar; nine nieces and nephews; 16 great-nieces and nephews; and a horde of cousins and extended family.

A public Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.  Burial will be in St. John Cemetery, Collinsville, IL.

In Connie's honor, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society of Heartland Hospice and will be received at the funeral home.

Condolences may be expressed to the family at barrywilsonfuneralhome.com