Ivan F. Kelsay

Ivan Francis Kelsay passed away on March 7, 2026 at the age of 91. He was born September 1, 1934, to Ivy and Bernice (Albin) Kelsay in Fall City, Nebraska. The family moved to Colorado his first year and he grew up in Yampa, CO, and graduated high school in 1952. 

Ivan served in the Army after graduating. He met Sherry Brown at a local dance and they began dating. They were married January 1, 1960. He became a mechanic for the coal mine in Oak Creek CO, while building a house for his family in Yampa. He moved on to working with heating and air conditioning which kept him busy while moving with his family to Longmont, CO; Rapid City, South Dakota; Gillette, Wyoming; and then to Coos Bay and North Bend, Oregon where he built a house and was able to spend time with his family and retire comfortably with his wife, Sherry. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ivy & Bernice Kelsay; his wife, Sherry and daughter, Debra; brothers, Glen, Donald and Ronald. 

He is survived by siblings, Merna Youngman, Ida Holmbeck, Paul (Peggy) Kelsay and Doris O'Grady. And his sons, Michael (Kristy) Kelsay, Alan (Fran) Kelsay and Greg (Kimberly) Kelsay. Along with grandchildren, great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. 

He will be missed by all that knew him. 

Cremation rites have been held at Ocean View Memory Gardens Crematory, Coos Bay with inurnment with his wife at Roseburg National Cemetery under the direction of Coos Bay Chapel 685 Anderson Ave. 541-267-3131. 

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