Obituary of Vada Keesler

Vada Keesler, 77, of Dowagiac, passed away at Lakeland Hospital on Friday, April 7, 2017. Vada was born on April 27, 1939, to the late John and Alta Wheeler in Grant, Nebraska. After graduating from high school she went on to attend college before she got a job at Old World Garden in Keeler, Michigan. She worked there for several years before moving to Sealed Power in Dowagiac. After nearly 20 years Vada retired. She had always been an active woman though and she could not sit idle. She ran Inn Between Tavern for a few years where she was known as the "chief cook and bottle washer" before opening the kitchen at Beeson Street Bar where she was VERY famous for her soups. Vada wed Jim Rider and they two had two sons. Jim passed away after 24 years of marriage and Vada was lucky enough to find love a second time when she wed Harold Keesler in 1983. She was preceded in death by her parents; son, Tom Rider; one sister; and one brother. Vada is survived by her husband, Harold; son Tim Rider of Kalamazoo; two stepsons, Michael (Robin) Keesler of Sumnerville and Kenneth Keesler of Dowagiac; several grandchildren; three sisters from Nebraska; one brother, Larry Wheeler of Flint; and many close friends. In keeping with Vada's wishes, she has been cremated and her family will be hosting a celebration of her life at the Moose Lodge in Dowagiac on Saturday, April 29, 2017, from 4:00 p.m. until whenever.