Jack Elmer Kershner

Jack Elmer Kershner, Jr., 70, of Battle Creek, Michigan died at Bronson Battle Creek and went to be with the Lord.

Jack was born January 7, 1951 in Battle Creek, Michigan the son of Jack Elmer and Betty (Faulkerson) Kershner. He grew up in Battle Creek and attended Lakeview High School. Jack joined the U.S. Army at age 18 and went to Basic Training at Fort Knox, KY. Six months later he took advanced training at Fort Leonard Wood to be a combat engineer. He went to Germany and was assigned to a Nuclear Base with the 54th Engineer Battalion. Jack came home for six months then reenlisted and went to Vietnam for 12 months. In Vietnam he was stationed with the 23rd Infantry Division, 11 Armored Brigade, 26th Engineer Battalion and Company B 3rd Platoon patrolling, blowing up bombs and rebuilding bridges. He received the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, among others.

Jack was employed as a security guard and spent most of those years at the Kellogg Company in Battle Creek. He was also employed for Paw Paw Wine, did road construction with a local Battle Creek Company and worked at Family Unit Market.

Jack had a 27 year relationship to Emily Thomas. Prior to that he was married to Robin Hare for 13 years and to his second wife, Peggy Campbell for four years. Surviving are his mother, Betty Evans of Dallas, TX; two brothers, Bradley Evans of Coldwater, MI, Dennis (Jon Moreno) Kershner of Dallas, TX; two stepsons, Matthew Thomas of Otsego, Joshua Thomas of Battle Creek; and niece and nephews, Christina Thomas, Zachary Jacobs and Dallas Rudd, Jr. all of Battle Creek. Jack was preceded in death by his father, Jack; and a brother, Kevin Kershner.

Jack enjoyed camping at Timberlake Campground in Climax, MI for many years. He was always on the move, couldn't sit still and loved driving to unknown destinations in his truck. He played in the weekend leagues bowling and golfing. He enjoyed going to football games. Jack loved playing the Lottery, going for long drives and listening to music in his truck. He was an avid University of Michigan fan.

Friends will be received 5:00-7:00 p.m. Thursday, January 6, 2022 at Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care. Military honors by Fort Custer Honor Guard and the U.S. Army Honor Guard be held 2:00 p.m. Friday, January 7, 2022 at Fort Custer National Cemetery, with inurnment to follow. A recording of the military honors for Jack can be viewed at https://vimeo.com/663476848.

Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of your choice. Arrangements are by Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care. Personal messages for the family may be placed above in the Memory Book at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.