Marvin Kersting

Although he accomplished so much of which to be proud, Marvin Kersting was a humble man whose focus was continually on others. He was respected by everyone he met, and he believed in working hard to provide for the family he treasured. Marv was a devoted family man who was the rock of his family, yet his unwavering strength was perfectly balanced with his gentle and patient heart as he was always slow to anger. He was a man of honor and conviction who was a friend to everyone he met. Marv was a man of great wisdom gleaned from living life, and he was intentional in the way he spent his days. A dear man to many, he will be deeply missed and forever remembered. It was great to be an American during the 1920s when radios, motion pictures in both color and sound, and more affordable cars were signs of the time. Amidst this exciting time was a time of great anticipation in the lives of Henry and Cornelia (Schutter) Kersting as they were eagerly awaiting the birth of their new baby as the beauty of spring unfolded in the city of Muskegon, Michigan, in 1924. The day came when a baby boy was born that they named Marvin Cliffton. He drew his first breath on May 24th. He was the eighth of ten children in his family, joined by his siblings, John, Martha, Junure, Elizabeth, Gerald, Joseph, Douglas, Corrine, and Verna. He lived in a home on Farr Road in Fruitport, and he also lived in a home on Laketon Avenue. While living on Laketon he liked hiking to Black Creek to swim. Marv worked on the celery farm on Holton Road and helped with the plowing. In many ways Marv was a young boy of his generation. Church was the main focus in the Kersting family as they attended six nights a week and also read the Bible after dinner every night. On Christmas, Marv received one apple, one orange, and a handful of nuts. He attended Angel Jolman and Fruitport schools where he was on the baseball team in high school. Marvs lifelong friends, Russ DeNio and Hank Zedyke, were his best buddies while growing up. As a high school student he didnt really care to much for the subject matter, so he left school after the ninth grade. As a young man, Marv served in the 84th Infantry 333rd Battalion nicknamed Rail Splitters in the Battle of the Bulge, during WWII. In recognition of his service, Marv was awarded with seven medals. Shortly after returning from the service, Marv met the young woman of his dreams. Her name was Helen Brown, and they met at Rykes Bakery where she worked. Helen was friends with his sister, Corrine, and Helen asked Corrine who the good looking guy was when she saw Marv. Helen agreed to have Marv stop over that night, which he did every night thereafter, too. He and Helen were married on March 27, 1947. Together they welcomed five children including Shirley, Marvin, Deborah, Dale, and Diane into their hearts and home. At first Marv and Helen lived in Flint, they then moved to Muskegon Heights, and they later moved to a home on Nicholl Avenue into a neighborhood full of kids. To support his family, Marv was a factory worker at SD Warren, and at times he did work washing windows with his cousin part-time to earn some extra money. There was nothing that was more important to Marv than his family. As a parent he was firm yet loving and giving, and he was more than willing to drive his kids all over the place. When young Marv and Shirley were little, they all took a trip to Niagara Falls, and with Deborah, Dale, and Diane they went camping every weekend with aunts, uncles, and cousins. Marv and Helen also took their three youngest to Florida a few times and Deb would go with him to reunions all over the country with the 84th Infantry. Sundays meant Sunday school, period, and there was also a big Sunday dinner followed by an afternoon drive. Marv was there for all of his childrens events and activities, and Diane was so grateful that he always took her to band practice. Of course he told her that she played great, too. It sure was a sight to see when Shirley painted Marvs fingernails pink one time when he had fallen asleep, only to have him wake and yell, How do I get this stuff off?! She let him pick at it for a bit, then she gave him the polish remover! In his free time, Marv kept busy in a variety of ways. He attended Berean Church, and he went to Croyton Church with Rev Dwight Reed for pig roasts. Among Marvs close friends were also Pastor Rick and Jim Toppin. He loved being outside and doing things like deer hunting, fishing, and camping, and he was an avid bowler for years. Later in life as his family grew to include grandchildren, he loved getting together with them for events and holidays. Marv was a lifetime member of the VFW #3734, Fruitport-Polar Bear Post. After Marv and his wife retired in 1986, they had more time for adventures. For several months each year they wintered in Moorhaven, Florida, with his sisters, Betty and Verna, and his brother, Gerald, and Corrine lived nearby, too. Marv was there for several of his familys activities including Austins high school graduation in Florida, Bobs golf school graduation in Florida, Seans hockey games, and Kelli and Gaiges soccer games. He played many a game of pick up sticks with Mandy, he played board games with all of his grandchildren, and when Mandy was ill, he held her and rocked her for up to six hours straight on one occasion. Described as an exceptional man who was a one of a kind daddy, Marvin C. Kersting brought such joy to those around him. He instilled within others the importance of a strong work ethic and to live by strong morals and convictions while freely offering unconditional love and acceptance. A loyal friend, Marv never met a stranger, and he was a vital part of the community he called home throughout the majority of his life. It has been said that he was never wrong, but he was a wise and passionate man whose greatest desire was to love and serve those around him. Marv will be remembered for his fun-loving personality, his strong work ethic, and his numerous handshakes, but most of all he will be remembered for his unwavering commitment to his family. He will never be forgotten. Marvin C. Kersting died on Tuesday, March 31, 2015. Marvs family includes his daughters, Shirley (Darell) Miller, Deborah Cook, Diane (Michael) Erb; sons, Marvin (Cheri) Kersting, Dale Kersting; grandchildren, David, Robert, Angela, Scott, Angie; great-grandchildren, Austin, Dylan, Sean, Kelli, Gaige, Aidan, Kaylee, Joshua, Brooklyn, Joselyn; great-great-grandchildren, Marlie, Chevelle; sisters, Verna VanderWel, Corrine Woodrum; many nieces, and nephews. Marv was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Helen in 1996; grandchildren, Brian, Trent, Mandy; 5 brothers & 2 sisters. Services will be held on Saturday, April 4, 2015, 11:00 a.m. with visitation one hour prior to the service at the Clock Chapel - Muskegon with Rev. Rick Pilieci and Rev. Dwight Reed officiating and Military Honors will be held. Memorials can be made to Cystic Fibrosis. Please visit www.clockfuneralhome.com to leave a memory or sign the online guest book.