Edward L. Kersten, Jr., age 86 of Shawano, passed away Sunday, March 18, 2012 in Shawano. Born on October 21, 1925 in the Town of Fairbanks, he was the son of the late Edward and Sarah (Smith) Kersten. Prior to going into service, Edward worked at FWD in Clintonville. On August 28, 1945 he was inducted into the United States Army-Air Force to serve his country during World War II. On December 18, 1948 he was united in marriage to Joyce E. Boardman in Clintonville. After his honorable discharge from service, Edward was employed as a crane operator at Hennes Trucking, Hennes Erecting and Azco Hennes until retiring in 1987 after 40 years. In retirement, Edward worked at T&C Supermarket. Edward was a member of the Peace United Church of Christ. He was active with the food pantry in Shawano and was a member of the Operating Engineers Local Union #139 and the Shawano American Legion Post #117. Edward also served on the Church Council at the St. John's UCC in Appleton for 6 years. Edward is survived by: a daughter, Sally (Terry) Knope of Shawano; a son, Steve (Doris) Kersten of Clintonville; 6 grandchildren, Terry (Leah) Knope, Jr., Aaron (Kim) Knope, Katrina Schroeder, Andrew Kersten, Laura (Brian) Blumreich, Holly (Tim) Kohn; 5 great-grandchildren, Kalleigh and Karter Schroeder, Nicholas, Alex and Katie Kohn and a 6th great-grandchild on the way; 5 sisters-in-law, Karen Boardman, Joyce Boardman, Shirley (Jerry) Herbst, Jan Erdmann, Sharon (Jim) Erdmann; a brother-in-law, Jim (Dawn) Boardman; and numerous nieces and nephews. Edward was preceded in death by: his wife, Joyce on July 2, 2011; his parents; a brother, Duane (Hildegard) Kersten; a sister, Cecelia (Dean) Bazile; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Harry and Mabel (Mervyn) Boardman; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Gordon (Ann) Boardman, Jack Boardman, Richard Boardman, Marlin "Butch" Erdmann; and 3 nieces, Kathy Bazile Krutz, Gwen Erdmann Theabo and Susan Boardman Preuss. Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 25, 2012 at the Peace United Church of Christ in Shawano with the Rev. Marty Black officiating. Burial will be in the Friendship Cemetery in the Town of Belle Plaine with Military Rites conducted by the Shawano American Legion Post #117. Visitation will be held at the church on Sunday after 1:00 p.m. until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been established. Swedberg Funeral Home in Shawano is assisting the family with the arrangements. www.swedbergfuneralhome.com