Jesse L. Kensinger

Jesse L. Kensinger, age 87, of Brodheadsville, passed away surrounded by his loving family on Thursday, Sept. 16, at his home.

Jesse was the loving husband of the late Edrie L. (Kehoe) Kensinger, who passed away Dec. 21, 2002.

Jesse was born in Williamsburg on Nov. 12, 1922, and the son of the late Jesse and Viola (Wilson) Kensinger.

Jesse was raised by Thomas and Lavada Heininger.

He worked his way up the corporate ladder and worked as an Engineer for the Bell Telephone Company in Altoona and Harrisburg for many years until retiring in 1983. He was a life member and past president of the Leonard H. Kinnard Chapter # 7 Telephone Pioneers of America.

Jesse served our country with dedication and courage in the United States Army, 342nd Infantry Regiment, 86th Division, during World War II.

Jesse was involved with his community and church throughout his life. He was the past president of the Allegheny Club in Hollidaysburg; past secretary and treasurer of the Pennsylvania Federation of Fraternal Clubs; a member of the Holy Name Society in Hollidaysburg; four-degree Knight of Columbus in Hollidaysburg; a member, past president and recording secretary of the Catholic Knights of St. George and was on the Board of Directors and past president of the Blair County District.

Jesse was also a member of Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Gilbert, where he served on the Parish Church Council, was a member of the Building Committee and served as a Eucharistic Minister. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Msgr. Connell McHugh Council 7141 of Brodheadsville and the Knights of Columbus Father Butler Assembly No. 980.

Jesse had been a volunteer driver for the West End Community Ambulance in Effort. He was a member of the American Legion Post 927 in Gilbert.

We have been blessed with the presence of Jesse in our lives, and he will be deeply missed by his loving family and many friends.

He is survived by his loving daughter, Kathy A. Corby, and her husband, Robert, of Sciota; his loving son, Thomas R. Kensinger, and his wife, Betty, of Hughesville; sisters, Ruth Eichelberger of Saxton, and Virginia Robb of Huntington.

Jesse was a loving and gentle grandfather to his four grandchildren, Barbara Spearko, William Bruce, Lisa Walburn and Julie Kensinger; and his seven great-grandchildren, Nickolas and Joshua Spearko, Brandon and Katrina Walburn, Justin Myers, Montana Bruce and William Bruce Jr.

He was preceded in death by his son-in-law, Merle E. Bruce, in 1983, his wife, Edrie in 2002; a great-grandson, David Kensinger; four brothers, James, Glen, Robert and Kenneth Kensinger; three sisters, Leona Heeter, Dorothy Worthing and Mary Kensinger.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11 a.m. Monday, Sept. 20, at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Gilbert.

Viewing will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 19, at the Donald N. Gower Funeral Home Inc., Route 209, Gilbert. Additional viewing will be held from 10 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. Monday, Sept. 20, at the funeral home.

Jesse will be buried next to his loving wife at the Buena Vista Cemetery in Brodheadsville.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made In Loving Memory of Jesse L. Kensinger to Our Lady Queen of Peace, P.O. Box 38, Brodheadsville, PA 18322.

Donald N. Gower Funeral Home

Route 209, Gilbert

www.gowerfuneralhome.com