Obituary of Walter Kersey

Mr. Walter Kersey, age 88, of Auburndale passed away Saturday. January 8, 2011 in Lakeland due to respiratory failure. Mr. Kersey was born in Wilson, North Carolina and moved to Auburndale in 1950 from Winter Haven when he and Herb Peyer founded Kersey Funeral Home on Lake Stella. After Mr. Peyer left the business in 1951, Mr. Kersey assumed control of the funeral home with his wife Katherine and they operated the business until their retirement in 1990. He was a veteran of WWII serving in the 304th Bombing 15th Air Force in Italy. Mr. Kersey was also a member of First Baptist Church, Auburndale, Life member of the Masonic Lodge #135 F&AM and the Order of Eastern Star Chapter 149, Past President of the Auburndale Chamber of Commerce serving several terms as President, Past President of the Auburndale Rotary Club, served as Auburndale city Commissioner, was a life member of the Egyptian Shrine Temple and Scottish Rite Valley of Tampa, a member of the Auburndale VFW Post 4945, served on the Board of Directors of Sun Bank of Polk County, was a graduate of Gupton-Jones College of Mortuary in Nashville, Tennessee and was a former member of the Lone Palm Golf Club in Lakeland. He was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Katherine Kersey, and a brother, William Kersey. Survivors include 2 sons, James "Jim" W. (Miriam) Kersey of Orlando and David (Cindy) Kersey of Auburndale; daughter, Mary (Chuck) Wright of Auburndale; granddaughter, Christy Ambrose of Shanghai, China; 5 grandsons, David Wright of San Francisco, Ca., Eric Kersey of Auburndale, Christopher Kersey of Tallahassee, Alexander Kersey of Orlando and Graham Kersey of Orlando; 3 great grandchildren, Greyson Kersey, Michael Wright and Abigail Ambrose. Funeral services will take place Wednesday at 11am at the first Baptist Church, Auburndale. Visitation will take place Tuesday evening from 5 until 8pm at the Kersey Funeral Home, Auburndale. Those so desiring may make donations to Good Shepherd Hospice, 105 Arneson Ave., Auburndale Fl. 33823.