Gerard Anthony Kerschen

KERSCHEN, Gerard Anthony, 89, passed away October 14, 2015. Jerry defined his life by sowing seeds of kindness at home and abroad. He was born Nov. 5, 1925, the seventh of 11 children. Jerry chose at age 14 to join the Society of the Divine Word in Techny, Ill. He took holy vows in 1945 as Brother Francis, S.V.D., a name he chose in honor of his mother. In 1951, he left home to serve as a missionary in Wewak, New Guinea, on the understanding that he would never return. Jerry tended to the sick and fed the poor in a distant land for nearly two decades. When he was given the option to come home, in 1969, he accepted, and nearly instantly Jerry became an irreplaceable member of a very close-knit clan. Jerry was never content resting on his laurels; after returning to the States, he worked for Carl Bell Meats and Electro Mech, and even after attempting to retire from the latter at age 65, he agreed to stay on for a few more years—he was so well appreciated. Well into an advanced age, Jerry made a daily habit of walking several miles a day. Jerry was beloved for—among many things—his humility, humor, and heart. Even as he battled dementia in his later years, he never ceased to be a generous, gentle man who could disarm anyone with a witty one-liner or an ironically self-deprecating joke. He wanted nothing, and he appreciated everything. We grieve his loss but take solace that somewhere, he is reaping the dividends of all his labor—and his seemingly boundless love. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Frances Kerschen; seven brothers and sisters; and his longtime companion, Polly Kerschen. He is survived by brothers Al (Mary) Kerschen of Leawood, Kan.; Joe Kerschen of Denver, Colo.; and Bill Kerschen of Shawnee, Kan.; nieces Kathy (Tom) Borniger of Wichita and Mary Beth (Ken) Johnson of Phoenix; and dozens of other nieces and nephews. Recitation of the Rosary will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22, and Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 23, both at St. Joseph Church, 145 S. Millwood Ave., Wichita, Kan. Following the funeral, interment will take place at Resthaven Cemetery, 11800 W. U.S. Highway 54 in Wichita, and Jerry’s family will welcome visitors for a memorial lunch in the parish hall at St. Joseph. Jerry’s family encourages memorials to Divine Word College, 102 Jacoby Drive SW, P.O. Box 380, Epworth, IA 52045, or online at www.dwci.edu/Giving.aspx.