Stephen K. Kelsey

Stephen Keith Kelsey, 98, formerly of Alpine, passed away on Sunday, November 25, 2007 at The Seneca View Nursing Facility in Montour Falls.

Born July 16, 1909 in the Town of Hector, Keith, as he was always called, was a son of the late Thomas and Lydia (Wixom) Kelsey.

After graduation from Trumansburg High School, Keith went to work on the family farm in Mecklenburg. He was the third generation in his family to work the farm, which was founded in 1878 by his grandfather, Charles Wixom, then passed along to Keith's father, Thomas, and then on to Keith. He spent his entire career tending the land that he loved so much. He was also proud of his charter membership in the Mecklenburg Volunteer Fire Department.

In addition to his parents, Keith was preceded in death by brothers, Charles W. Kelsey and Henry Kelsey; sister, Mary K. Hickok; sisters in law, Mary R. Kelsey and Helena Kelsey; and brother in law, Paul C. Hickok.

He is survived by a brother, Carlton R. Kelsey of Rockford, IL; nephews, Charles E. Kelsey of Tucson, AZ, Thomas Kelsey of Zagreb, Croatia, Todd Kelsey of Stony Creek, NY, David Willard of FL, and William Hickok of Rochester; nieces, Karen Kelsey of Atlanta, GA, Mary Elisabeth Kelsey of Oakland, CA, Martha Retman of Seattle, WA, Barbara W. Oehlke of Rockford, IL, and Virginia Hamara of Toronto; cousin, Jeanette W. Fennell of Waterloo; great nieces and great nephews; and his devoted friend, Anna Irene Brown of Mecklenburg.

Prayers of committal, officiated by Rev. Fred Edmister will be held at Grove Cemetery on Tuesday, December 4, at noon.

A memorial service in Keith's memory will be held on Sunday, October 26, 2008, at the Mecklenburg United Methodist Church. The remembrance service will be during the Sunday services, between 11am and 12 noon.