Jerome Kersting

"Jerome Kersting" KINGSFORD - Jerome "Myron" Kersting, 83, of 1920 Woodward Ave., Kingsford, died Monday, Nov. 28, 2005, at Dickinson County Memorial Hospital in Iron Mountain. He was born Jan. 28, 1922, in Merrill, Iowa, son of the late John and Elizabeth (Ahlstrand) Kersting. He graduated from Central High School in Sioux City, Iowa in June 1939. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in July 1942 and completed infantry, military police and pilot training. He served in the U.S. Army from 1942 to 1947 and in the U.S. Air Force from 1947 to 1966. He served as an aircraft pilot, flight instructor, provost marshal and aircraft controller. Myron's major military assignments were in the European Theatre of Operations during World War II from 1944-1947; the Korean War from 1953-1954, and Vietnam from 1961 to 1963. He retired from the U.S. Air Force, K.I. Sawyer Air Force Base in 1966. In June 1966, Myron joined the Veterans Administration of the Regional Office in Detroit as a contact representative, adjudicator and education liaison officer. He transferred to the VA Medical Center in Iron Mountain in 1977 and served as the veteran benefits counselor until his retirement. During both his military and civilian career, he received many decorations and citations. On Feb. 10, 1948, Myron married Blanche Beierman at Dakota City, Neb. He was a member of St. Mary Queen of Peace, 4th Degree Knights of Columbus, the Third Order of St. Francis, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the NRA. In the past, he also served as a eucharistic minister and altar server at his church. He was a former member of the Iron Mountain-Kingsford Serra Club. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Blanche; two sons, Jim (Jane) Kersting of Driggs, Ind. and Gary (Teresa) Kersting of Boyne City, lower Michigan; one daughter, Joanne (Joe) Baker of Sioux City, Iowa; nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant son, Terry Lynn; a brother, Kermit Kersting; a sister, Frances Dames and a nephew, Melvin Fairbanks. Friends may call from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday at the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home. The Knights of Columbus will recite the rosary at 6 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Thursday at 11 a.m. at St. Mary Queen of Peace Catholic Church. Fr. Michael Woempner will offer the Mass of Christian Burial. Burial will be in Dickinson County Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers will be Barry Rosene, Harry Urbanski, Wayne Carter, Robert St. Louis, Tom Burlo, and Roger Rochon. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Research Foundation or to St. Mary Queen of Peace Church. Condolences may be expressed to the family of Myron Kersting online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com. The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with the funeral arrangements.

Jerome Kersting

January 28, 1922 - November 28, 2005