DONALD EVANS "DON" KELSEY

1931 - 2025

Donald Evans (Don) Kelsey, 94, of Coudersport died on August 27, 2025, at home.
He was born on August 2, 1931, in Cleveland, Ohio to Wayne E (Tom) Kelsey and Marguerite Young Kelsey.
He married Marguerite (Peggy) Boden on August 16, 1958, in Chester, who died on November 15, 2020, after 62 years of marriage.
Don loved his family dearly. He enjoyed many years living at Deerview Farm, which had originally been handed down to him by his father. The farm remains in the family. Don comfortably enjoyed his last years living at Deerview Farm with his son, Gary.
Don graduated from Mentor High School. He graduated from Mansfield State College with a B.S. in Elementary Education in 1953. He was immediately inducted in the US Army having been deferred from active duty during college. He served for two years and after completing instructor training, worked as Instructor of Ammunition Supply Department in Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland. He was honorably discharged. He attended Temple University and received his master's degree in Elementary Education in 1959. He also received Pennsylvania Certifications in Special Education in 1963 and Reading Specialist in 1978. He completed training at Morehead State University in Kentucky as a Reading Teacher/Trainer for Adults in 1970.
He worked in Penn Delco School District, Brookhaven Elementary as a 5th and 6th grade teacher. While teaching in Brookhaven, he enrolled at Temple University, Philadelphia, and received his master's degree in Elementary Education in 1959.
After six years of elementary experience, he moved north taking a job creating a Special Education Program in the Port Allegany High School, teaching grades 7 – 12. He received State Certification as a Special Education Teacher in 1963.
In 1967, he was hired by the Coudersport School District to develop an Intermediate Special Education Program and then in 1973 accepted the position of Coordinator of the Reading Programs. He created a new Junior High reading program using multi-level reading programs.
The Coudersport Elementary Reading Program was selected as the IU#9's top reading program and was still number one when he retired after working at the Coudersport School District for 39 years.
He also worked at Mansfield University as Assistant Professor in the Special Education Department. Don was the first President of the Seneca Highlands Educational Association and served as Chief Negotiator. He was an Instructor and Director of the Adult Basic Education and Job Training Partnership Act Programs for many years.
He was included in the Outstanding Elementary Teachers of America Publication and in 1974 was a top ten finalist in the "Pennsylvania Teacher of The Year Award."
He authored numerous educational publications in the field of Adult Education. "Spelling for Adults" was the most popular book at the Harrisburg State Library and "Consumer Math" was selected for inclusion in the Library of Congress, in Washington D.C.
He also was one of the first Special Education teachers to use computer programs in his instructional classwork. Don was a member of Eulalia Masonic Lodge #342 for over 50 years.
Don and his late wife, Peggy, loved taking their children on many camping trips and adventures. They went cave exploring in Kentucky, camped on the shores of Chincoteague Island to watch the Annual Pony Penning Day, visited Niagara Falls and cruised around the Caribbean Islands. They chaperoned their granddaughter's Coudersport High School French Class trip to Europe. The Kelsey family loved all animals and had ponies, horse, pigs, lamb, dogs, cats, guinea pigs, birds, turtles, fish and more over the years. Many neighborhood kids remember the Kelsey household making hundreds of candy apples to hand out on Trick or Treat night. Don also took the Kelsey family famous candy apples to school for his students.
Surviving are his children: Donna (Walter) Foust, Coudersport; Linda Hemphill, Coudersport; Gary (Amy Brown) Kelsey, Coudersport; Susan Roboski, Limestone, N.Y.; grandchildren, Jessica Burr, Coudersport; Alexandra (Charles) Sinnamond, Coudersport; Breanna (TY) Taylor, Olean, N.Y.; Zachary Hogle, Olean, N.Y., great grandchildren Shaylei Burr, Spindale, N.C.; Isaac Burr, Olean, N.Y., Zofia Burr, Coudersport, Addison Burr, Punxsutawney, Ridge Sinnamond, Coudersport and Rhett Sinnamond, Coudersport.
He was preceded in death by his wife, parents and brother Jack Kelsey.
A private, family service will be held at the family's convenience. Burial will be in the family cemetery located at Deerview Farm, Coudersport.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Coudersport Public Library, 502 Park Avenue, Coudersport, Pa 16915.
The family has entrusted the Thomas E. Fickinger Funeral Home, 210 North East Street, Coudersport, PA 16915 with his arrangements. To share your fondest memories of Don or to sign his guestbook, please visit www.thomasfickinger.com.