Aloysius P. “Al” Kerschen

Aloysius (Al) Paul Kerschen slipped away peacefully Friday April 14, 2017 surrounded by his family. Al was born the 3^rd of 11 children on June 29, 1918 to Joseph Kerschen and Frances (nee: Gunzelman) in Aleppo, KS.  In 1950 he married Mary Maxine McCrea and they raised four children.

He served in WWII as a staff sergeant in the Army Air Corp with the 460th Bombardment Group (H) from 1943 to 1946. He was a nose gunner on a B24 bomber and flew 50 combat missions over southern Europe. He worked for the Cessna Aircraft Company, where he met Maxine in 1941, and the Beech Aircraft Company in Wichita, KS before joining the United States Air Force as a civilian inspector. He worked with the Strategic Air Command in eastern Kansas, on the Gemini and Apollo space flights while in Mississippi and with McDonnell-Douglas Aircraft near St. Louis, MO until he retired in 1981.

After his retirement he kept himself busy growing miniature roses and building model airplanes. Al had a strong faith and was a devout Catholic all his life and a member of St. Cletus Catholic Church in St. Charles. Al was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather all his life.

He was survived by his wife of 67 years, Maxine, until her death in July of 2017; his children, Kay Johnston, Michele (Doug) Bowen, Bob (Kelly) Kerschen, and Joel (Ellen) Kerschen; six grandchildren: Michael (April) Johnston, Jessica (Josh) Collins, Paul Bowen, Christopher “Chuck” Kerschen, Dallas (Courtney) Kerschen, and James Kerschen; Three great-grandchildren; two brothers: Joe Kerschen and Bill Kerschen.

Maxine and Al were children of the depression but always managed to convey how grateful they were for their lives and their families. They were great role models for us as their children and loved us unconditionally. They will be both be greatly missed.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the American Red Cross for Hurricane Relief.