Obituaries

April 23, 1936 to September 12, 2021

NORTH JUDSON – James "Jim" Kersting, 85, of North Judson, passed away peacefully in his home Sunday, Sept. 12.

He was born April 23, 1936, in North Judson, to the late Burnell and Catherine Bau Kersting. On July 2, 1960, he married Nella Minix, who preceded him in death on July 27, 2003. In May 2007, he married Roberta Short Chapman. She survives.

Jim Kersting

He is also survived by three children, Sandy (Jansen) Rudd of North Judson,  Randy (Kris) Kersting of Winamac, and Jason (Dawn) Kersting of Winamac; six grandchildren, Alicia (Isaiah) Collins, Andrea (Todd) Jackson, Justin (Jordann) Kersting, Katie (Austin) Polen and Joshua Kersting, all of North Judson, and James Kersting of Indianapolis; four great-grandchildren, Kerslynn Ella, Kash Johnathon, Jarrod David and Poppy Ella and another addition due in December Charles Carson. He is also survived by two sisters Phyllis Rozhon and Lorraine Hughes.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 43 years, Nella, and his parents.

Mr. Kersting was a member of St. Peter Lutheran Church of North Judson. He served in the U.S. Army from September of 1957 to June of 1959. He founded his Harley-Davidson dealership in 1962 alongside his wife, Nella, and eventually added their three children, Sandy, Randy and Jason. He built his World of Motorcycles Museum in 2003 and he loved to take his guests on tours even until more recently. Those who knew him always said they loved to hear his stories - he was the best story-teller. He was a life member of the Harley Owners Group, American Motorcycle Association, Harry L. Keller American Legion Post #92, and served on the WKVI Board of Directors for several years.

Mr. Kersting was a torch carrier for the Indiana Bicentennial in 2016. He was the recipient for the Henry F. Schricker "service before self" award in 2017. He was most recently the grand marshal for the 2021 North Judson Mint Festival in which he helped inaugurate in the late 1970s. He was a proud citizen of Starke County, and he supported many local organization through the years.

Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m. (CT), Sunday, Sept. 19, at Braman and Bailey Funeral Home, North Judson. The funeral service will be at 12 noon (CT), Monday, Sept. 20, at St. Peter Lutheran Church, North Judson, with visitation two hours prior at the church. Pastor Dan Speckhard will officiate. Burial will be at St Jacobs cemetery in North Judson.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Nella Kersting Memorial Fund - Northern Indiana Community Foundation.