James John Kerschen, age 91, passed away Monday, Sept. 22, 2025, surrounded by his family.

James was born to Nicholas and Johanna (Geiger) Kerschen on May 12, 1934.

James and Mary Sylvia Ayers were married Aug. 10, 1963, at Our Lady of Fatima Church in Modesto, Calif.

James was a retired brick mason and farmer. He was a member of the Secular Franciscan Order (OFS) since 1961, for which he served as minister for many years.

James is preceded in death by his parents, brother Eugene, and brother in-law John Wilhite.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Sylvia (Ayers) Kerschen; brother and sisters, Corene Wilhite of Eufaula, Okla., Robert (Jeanette) of Cunningham, and Verna (Ken) Papotta of Simi Valley, Calif.; children, Tom (Karen) of Cunningham, Margaret (Dan) Taylor-Smith of Grove, Okla., John (Blanca) of Commerce City, Colo., Denise (Joe) Richey of Colwich, Steve (Charo) of Wichita, Rita of Colwich, Niel (Laura) of Andover, David (Tina) of Lee’s Summit, Mo., and Helene (Dana) Rausch of Shawnee; and many beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

The rosary/vigil will be at 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 28, and the funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Sept. 29, both at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Clonmel.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church-Building Fund, 18630 W. 71st St. S., Viola, KS 67149, or to the Monastery of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel and St. Joseph, 631 Griffin Pond Road, S. Abington Twp., PA 18411.

There will be a Secular Franciscan Order wake service following the rosary.