FallenBrothers
Dave Heller
August 15, 1952 - March 17, 2009
Dave worked at Ford for 28 years when he
had to go on medical retirement.
Dave was an avid Harley-Davidson rider.
On May 14, 2005 he was in a motorcycle acci-
dent. Then June 22, 2005, four days after his
wedding, he had a massive stroke. His wife
Marilyn took care of him until he passed away
at his home.
Dave is survived by his wife, Marilyn, a son
Donnie and a stepson, Matt. He has four grand-
children, Jesse, Wyatt, Hailey and Noah. He is
also survived by two brothers, Gary and Don-
nie, two sisters, Cheryl and Judy and many friends who share the loss with
his family.
The Biking Community
Looses a True Artist
John Thomas Kessinger III, 63 passed away July 3, 2009 from cancer.
John was such a talented artist that his customers didn’t mind waiting for
months to be able to show off his work on their bikes, vans, trucks.
After serving in the US Navy and working a couple years at the General
Motors Fairfax plant, in Kansas City, KS, John took up painting again full time.
He loved canvas but saw that putting his work on motorcycles and during the
1970’s, vans brought a better living.
Kessinger could create whatever a customer wanted, including wizards
and dragons, skulls, flames or geometric patterns. His favorite subject was
the Old West. It reflected his love of the simple life where a family can take
care of itself. The detail of his work set him apart and far ahead of the pack.
He was a working man and
painted for the working man. His
work was featured in Easy Rider and
numerous bike shows throughout
the Midwest. We were in his shop in
the spring of 2006 to discuss the
paint job I would want on my bike.
Unfortunately, I wasn’t lucky enough
to get my bike painted before we
lost him.
There was a faring sitting there
that had been shipped in from Cali-
fornia where the bike it belonged on
had been purchased in an auction
for figures just because it had Garth
Brooks’ signature. John’s instruc-
tions were, “Don’t mess it up!”
The biking community has lost a
true friend and wonderful artist.
76 Wide Open
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