Mr. Kersey was born Oct. 31, 1931, to Albert Sr. and Nelley M. Rogers Kersey in Bee Ranch, Ark. He married M. Elaine Myers on April 2, 1978, in Elkhart. She survives.

Also surviving are one daughter, Rhonda L. (James) Baroth of Osceola; one son, Allen D. (Patricia) Kersey of Osceola; one brother, Buford (Lorraine) Kersey of Shawnee, Kan.; one half brother, Albert "Junior" Kersey Jr. of Conway, Ark.; two sisters, Laverne Oswalt of Joppa, Md., and Martha (Bobby) Ward of Newport, Ark.; one half sister, Sarah (Dewayne) Barton of Mercedes, Calif.; two granddaughters; and several step-grandchildren and step great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by four brothers, Dallas, Bealer, James and Hubert; and three sisters, Etta May Kersey, Melba Clark and Mary Nell Dowden.

Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. today at Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart, and one hour prior to the service there at 11 a.m. Tuesday. The Rev. Dr. Stephen Swihart will officiate, and burial will be in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Osceola. Osceola American Legion Post 308 and the U.S. Navy Funeral Honor Guard will render military honors.

Mr. Kersey worked at Skyline Manufacturing for many years. In the 1960s he began working as a bookeeper and store room clerk for the Indiana Toll Road, from which he retired in 1994 after 23 years.

He was a member of the Osceola American Legion Post 308 and the Michiana Mustang Club, where he met his wife, Elaine. He enjoyed football and basketball and was an avid Arkansas Razorbacks fan. He liked to attend home church groups with his wife, feed the ducks near his home and spend time with his cat, Tinker.

He was a veteran of the Korean War, where he served in the U.S. Navy for five years as a radio operator. After the war, he remained in the Navy Reserves for more than 20 years.

Memorials may be given to the Salvation Army or the Elkhart County Humane Society. Online condolences may be sent at www.billingsfuneralhome.com.