Karen Jane Kesling (George / Anderson) departed this world for her heavenly home on April 21, 2024. She was born August 10, 1943, in Barbour County; the daughter of Sherman Kesling and Hazel Jane (Riffle) Kesling. She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Harold David Kesling, and Sherman Kesling, Jr; and three sisters, Louise Van Dette, Shirley Jean Tallman, and Barbara Collins.

Karen was a beloved partner of Kyle L. Cochran, until his passing in 2019.

She is survived by one sister, Linda Sue DeBarr and two sons, Mark Aren George and Jason George, all of Buckhannon.

Karen graduated from Buckhannon-Upshur High School in 1961 and Fairmont State College in 1965. She was a member of the Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority and the English Honor Society, Sigma Tau Delta.

She was a teaching assistant at Purdue University, and taught English at Buckhannon-Upshur Middle School and Buckhannon-Upshur High School, from which she retired in 2003. She enjoyed teaching and loved every one of her students, and really cared that they got the best education they could. Karen taught multiple generations of families and could still remember many of her students’ names.

Karen was very compassionate, loved helping others, and would do anything she could to assist people. She liked playing Spider Solitaire and Mahjong on her computer and talking and texting on her phone. She enjoyed eating, cooking, and perfecting recipes. Sharing food with others brought her a lot of joy.

Karen’s wishes for cremation were honored. A memorial / celebration of life service will be held at the Heavner & Cutright Funeral Chapel on Saturday, May 11, 2024, at 2:00 PM. 

Online condolences may be extended to the family at www.heavnerandcutright.com.

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