He was born April 18, 1919 at Pound, WI to Hortense (Bouillion) and Claude Duval Kelsey. He was a U.S. Army veteran of WW II and was married to Louise Johnson in 1941. He lived in Northern WI until 1954 and then resided in Orland Park, IL from 1954 to 1974 where he owned and operated a construction company specializing in the erection of laminated wood. In his career he set the world record for the longest single span laminated wood beam structure and later broke his own record. He resided in Marengo, IL from 1974 to 1980 before returning to Wisconsin residing in various towns including Loganville, Wonewoc, Gillingham and then moving to the Wisconsin Veteran's Home in King in 1995.
Surviving are two sons, Richard (Carolyn) Kelsey, of Loganville, WI; Joel (Nancy) Kelsey of Belvidere, IL; one daughter, Claudia (Jerry) Berres of Richland Center, WI; six grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; one sister, Alma Camps of Crivitz, WI; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Ralph, Ruggles (Speed), Ellsworth (Peck), Roland (Feak), Norman (Joe) and Lloyd; and sisters Irene King, Claribel Prosser and Alice.
Friends called at Rhodes-Charapata Funeral Home, Coleman from 1-4 p.m. Friday, July 13. Funeral services were held Friday at 4 p.m. at the funeral home with interment in the First Baptist Cemetery, Pound, WI.