Don Kelsey

Kenneth Donald Kelsey, longtime resident of the Shidler community, passed away Friday, December 24, 2010 at the Ponca City Medical Center. He was 85 years of age.

Don was born October 25, 1925 at Drumright, Oklahoma, the son of Lawrence Marvin Kelsey Sr. and Nora Ellen VanNatta Kelsey. He attended school in Shidler but graduated from Drumright High School in 1943. He served his country in the European theatre during World War II as a combat infantry machine gunner with the 410th Infantry.

He was married to Dorothy Jean Davis of Shidler and to this union was born one son, Kenny. Don was employed 31 years as a oil field worker, having worked for Phillips Oil Company and Standard Oil Company. He was a member of the Shidler United Methodist Church and was a 32nd Degree Mason with the Shidler Lodge No. 509 Ancient Free Accepted Masons. He had also been active in the Grainola United Methodist Church, the Grainola Boy Scout Troop 43, and had also served on the Grainola School Board.

He is survived by his wife, Dorothy Kelsey of Fairview, Oklahoma his son, Kenneth D. Kelsey Jr. of Ringwood, Oklahoma two brothers, Howard Kelsey of Ponca City and Jerry Kelsey of Sapulpa, Oklahoma his niece Peggy Jacques and husband, Jim, of Shidler and by a host of much loved nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents one infant son and by elder brothers, George Robert Kelsey of Wichita, Kansas and Lawrence Marvin Kelsey Jr. of Shidler.

Graveside memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, December 30, 2010 at the Grandview Cemetery in Kaw City with Rev. Victoria Fishel presiding. Arrangements are under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel.