Steve Carter Kessler, a 43-year resident of Yucca Valley and a retired United States Air Force chief master sergeant, died at home Feb. 23, 2009. He was 85. He was born in Long Beach on Oct. 9, 1923, to Roy Carter Kessler and Doris Louise Hinton and was raised by his mother and stepfather, Myron Allen Murphy. He served during World War II with the U.S. Navy and during the Korean War with the U.S. Air Force. Before retiring to Yucca Valley, he lived with his family overseas in Japan and throughout the United States. After his retirement from military service, Mr. Kessler owned and operated Steve's Garage in Yucca Valley. He was an avid fisherman, sportsman and traveler. He loved to tell stories about the cars he built and raced at Bonneville during its heyday, and he never folded deuces. Yucca Valley residents will remember him as the first to arrive at local garage sales. His family will remember him for his infectious sense of humor and for his ability and willingness to fix anything. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, MaryJane Kessler, sister-in-law Lois Greenough, daughter and son-in-law Sheryl and Butch Humphreys, son and daughter-in-law Steven and Linda Kessler and daughter and son-in-law Susan and Mike Gueltzow, all of Yucca Valley; grandchildren Scott Gueltzow, Jenny Doling, David Humphreys, Jason Gueltzow, Shelley Green, Chris Humphreys, Lisa Kessler and Daniel Kessler; and 13 grandchildren. In addition, his family extended a note of thank you to Jim and Marilyn DeBord, "whose love and generosity defined 'neighbor' to all of us for over 43 years." A memorial service for Mr. Kessler is scheduled to be held at 11 a.m. March 1 at Wiefels and Son Mortuary in Yucca Valley.