Robert J. Kelsey

Robert J. Kelsey, 70, affectionately known as Barber Bob, living at 827 Oakhill Ave., Plymouth, since 1968, died of natural causes in St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, Plymouth, at 12:45 p.m., on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2002. Bob was born on Feb. 16, 1932, in Plymouth where he lived for most of his life. His parents were Isaac Jay and Mary Ethel Bergman Kelsey. He graduated from Plymouth High School with the class of 1950 and attended barber school as a serviceman, in Boston , Mass. He served his country in the United States Navy during the Korean War, from 1951 to 1954. He was a member of the Marshall County V.F.
W. Post 1162, and a former member of Plymouth ’s Phi Delta Kappa. On March 29, 1958 , Bob and Phyllis J. Hutchings were married in Plymouth . Bob, a tonsorial expert with a large and faithful clientele, was the owner/operator of Barber Bob’s barber shop in Plymouth , his career spanned 38 years, from 1958 to 1996. A true artist, he enjoyed oils and water color painting, scratch boards and working with clay. A Notre Dame football fan, he also loved to fish the area lakes. Bob is survived by Phyllis, his wife of over 44 years and by their five children, 15 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. The children are: Kurt A. (Bernadette) Kelsey, Warsaw , Ind. ; Pat M. (Melissa) Moriarty, Pinkerton , Ohio ; Beth (Bill) Vore, Raleigh , N.C. ; Roberta J. (Rick) Schlinglof, Logansport , Ind. ; and Nikki Moriarty, Ft. Wayne , Ind. Three brothers and several aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews also survive. The brothers are: David L. (Lois) Kelsey, Zephyrhills , Fla. ; George A. (Leslie) Kelsey, Cary , N.C. ; and Charles “Chuck” Kelsey, Muncie , Ind. Bob was preceded in death by his parents and Marcia Smith, a sister. Friends are invited to visit with the family from 4 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2002 , at the Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home, 1100 N. Michigan St. , Plymouth . A funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2002 , at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 412 N. Center St. , Plymouth , where Bob had worshiped for over 40 years. Father John Schramm will officiate at the funeral Mass. Burial will be in New Oakhill Cemetery where military honors will be accorded Bob by the Marshall County VFW Post 1162. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Thomas Episcopal Church or to a charity of the donor’s choice.