Dale E. Kelsey
Dale E. Kelsey died at 7:17 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2017. Born in Fort Wayne to Paul David and Dorothy L. (Oliver) Kelsey on April 10, 1929, Dale was one of six children.
In 1947 Dale graduated from South Whitley High School. As the Korean War approached, Dale became a member of the U.S Army from 1950 to 1953. During this time he reached the rank of Sergeant.
Since July 5, 1951 Dale has spent the last 66 years of his life with his best friend and wife Doris M. (Fingerle) Kelsey. During their time together, Dale had a variety of jobs that supported him, his wife, and their four children. For 32 years Dale was a carpenter with D & C Construction, South Whitley. He also worked at Manchester College for 13 years in the maintenance department before retiring in 1994. A member of Christian Fellowship Church, North Manchester, Indiana, faith has also been the cornerstone in Dale’s life. He was ordained into the ministry in 1974 at Liberty Mills Church of the Brethren, Liberty Mills. He served as pastor of Centerview Community Church, South Whitley for 17 years and as associate pastor at Christian Fellowship Church since 1994. After retiring, Dale and Doris enjoyed their winters in Bradenton, Fla.
Dale is survived by his wife Doris M. Kelsey; two sons, Dennis R. Kelsey, North Manchester, and Danny J. Kelsey, Kokomo; one daughter, Jane A. (Emanuel) Schwartz, Harlan; two brothers, Keith (Judy) Kelsey, South Whitley, and Joe (Cindy) Kelsey, Columbia City; one sister Carol (Dick) Kyler, Raber; two grandchildren Tyler (Erica) Kelsey, South Bend, and Mechaela Schwartz, Harlan; two great grandchildren, Gus and Theodore Kelsey, South Bend; two step grandchildren, Brenna (Keith) Scott, Fort Wayne, and Amber (James) Scott, Fort Wayne, and six step great grandchildren, Mason, Gwen, Keith Jr. Josie, Gage and Gracie Scott all of Fort Wayne.
He was preceded in death by his parents Paul David and Dorothy L. Kelsey; one son, David L. Kelsey; one brother, Glen “Sam” Kelsey and one sister, Joyce Gross.
Family and friends may call from 2-8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 28, at McKee Mortuary, 1401 State Road 114 West, North Manchester, Indiana. Services will begin at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 29, at McKee Mortuary, with calling one hour prior to the beginning of the service. Burial will be at Oaklawn Cemetery, 600 Beckley Street, North Manchester. Pastor J.P. Freeman and Pastor Eddie Akins will officiate.