Joseph Kersten

Joseph Benedict Kersten, 85, of North Little Rock passed away Saturday, September 13, 2008. He was born in Atkins, Arkansas, September 30, 1922, the fourth of eleven children to the late William and Elizabeth Gunderman Kersten. Joseph was retired from the Carpenters Local Union 690 after over 50 years of service. He also served his nation honorably for three and half years during World War II as an Army Surgical Technician and a MI Rifle sharp shooter at Camp Houze, Texas and Fort Lewis, Washington. The day he was supposed to leave for Japan, they got word Japan had surrendered.
His survivors include his wife of 59 years, Ethelene Harvill Kersten two daughters, Linda (Patrick) Doolittle of Sherwood and Sheryall Ann Paris of Jacksonville; two sons, Robert (Wanda) Kersten of Cabot and Randy (Rebecca) Kersten of Little Rock; nine grandchildren, Timothy and Christopher Doolittle, Jason and Monica (McGehee) Kersten, April, Jacob, and Michael Kersten and Alan and Crystal (Brown) Pledger; eight great grandchildren, Alexander and Bailey Doolittle, Tyler and Austin Brown, DeWayne and Megan Pledger, Noah Doolittle and Caleb McGehee; three brothers, Chris and Clarence of Atkins and George of Mt. Pleasant, Texas; three sisters, Marie Sweeney of Memphis, Michigan, Rose Reeves of Longview, Texas and Rita Montgomery of Fayetteville; and many nieces and nephews. Mr. Kersten was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Fred and Raymond Kersten; two sisters, Catherine Charneck and Wilhelmine D'Angelo.
Memorials may be made to Alzheimer?s of Arkansas, 10411 W. Markham, Ste. 130, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205.
Mass of Christian burial will be held 10:30 A.M. Wednesday at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Burial will be in Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery. A rosary service will be held 7:00 P.M.Tuesday at North Little Rock Funeral Home, 1921 Main St., 758-1170. Online obituary and guest register at www.nlrfh.com.