David A. Kersh

OTTAWA – David A. Kersh, 70, passed away on June 24, 2026, at the James Cancer Center, Columbus. A man of hard, honest work with a streak of orneriness, was born February 19, 1956, to Ralph and Evangeline (Kuhlman) Kersh of Ottawa.

After graduating from Ottawa-Glandorf High School, Dave joined the United States Air Force, serving for four years, receiving an honorable discharge with the rank of Staff Sergeant. He was stationed at Barksdale AFB, 8th Air Force, 2nd Bomb Wing from 1974-1978. After being discharged, Dave began working for Brown Supply Company, Lima, as a sales rep., and was still employed there. He enjoyed seeing his customers over his 48-year career.

Dave married Cheryl (Unterbrink) Kersh, the girl he chased for years, on November 27, 1976, at St. John’s Catholic Church, Glandorf. He loved being a dad to Amy (Jared) Wehri and Kathryn (Andrew) Beaston. He enjoyed having two sons-in-law to hang out with, talking politics, or the Indians and the Buckeyes, maybe enjoying a cigar and a cold one! He especially loved his 7 grandchildren, Austin, Ashlee, and Brayden Wehri, Macie, Mylie, James and Jackson Beaston. He is also survived by his mother-in-law, Bernice Unterbrink.

Along with his parents, he is also preceded in death by a brother, Dennis; a sister, Anita; and father-in-law, James Unterbrink.

Besides being a lifetime member of the Ottawa American Legion, Dave was the Post 63 Fighting 63rd general manager for 21 years, from 1996 to 2016. He was also the Post Historian, Baseball Committee chairman and a member of the Sons of the American Legion. Dave was a member of Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church. He was strong in his Catholic Faith, with a special devotion to Divine Mercy and Our Lady of Lourdes.  He lived by the motto, Do the Right Thing, Even is No One is Watching.

Along with his love of Titan Baseball and Fighting 63rd Baseball, Dave enjoyed watching Buckeye Football and his beloved Cleveland Indians.

Dave wrote several books, The 75th Anniversary of the Kerner-Slusser Post, Titan Trolley History Tour and Post 63 75th Anniversary of Ottawa Legion Baseball.

He was the Titan Trolley conductor for several years, driving people around Ottawa while Steve and Betty Frick explained the history of Ottawa. His love of history was immense.

Dave and Cheryl loved to travel, having gone to many countries and states. Dave was even announcing on bus trips for the horse races of Cardinal Downs. He announced baseball games for the OG Titans and Post 63 American Legion games. His memory will live on through the many lives he touched in the baseball community and beyond. He said he was headed to the press box in the sky.

Funeral Mass will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Ottawa, with Fr. Scott Kramer officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery with military rites by Ottawa American Legion, Ottawa VFW and AmVets. A visitation will be held on Monday from 2 to 8 p.m. with a scripture service at 7:50 p.m. and again on Tuesday from 9 to 10 a.m. at LOVE FUNERAL HOME, Ottawa.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Post 63 Fighting 63rd Baseball Team or Putnam County CAP.

Condolences may be expressed at www.loveheitmeyer.com