Marvin Edward Kelsch Jr.

KNOX — Marvin Edward Kelsch Jr. of Knox, a Vietnam War veteran who enjoyed outdoor sports, died on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2016, at St. Peter’s Hospice Inn in Albany. He was 65.

Mr. Kelsch, known to his friends and family as “Skip,” was born on Feb. 14, 1950 to the late Marvin “Dutch” Kelsch and Alice McCumber Kelsch.

Mr. Kelsch went to Berne-Knox-Westerlo School and served in the United States Army during Vietnam, serving in the 175th airborne.

He lived most of his life in Knox and was a jack-of-all-trades, working in construction, pool installation, and maintenance.

“His family and friends were important to him,” his family wrote in a tribute. “He enjoyed hunting and fishing with his family as well as making horseradish at Easter and venison jerky with them.”

He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Sandra Luniewski Kelsch; his daughter, Tina Kelsch; his son Marvin (Jake) Kelsch; and his grandchildren, Damien Kelsch and Jennifer Coffran.

He is also survived by his sisters, Noreen Jorgenson and her husband, Peter, Eva Lounsbury and her husband, Terry, Kathy Bishop and her husband, Billy, Carolyn Weatherwax, and Elizabeth Dunston and her husband, Kal; and by his brother, Thomas Kelsch; as well as by several nieces and nephews.

His brother Frank Kelsch died before him, as did his sister Beverly Simmons.

Calling hours will be on Tuesday, Jan. 26, at the Fredendall Funeral Home at 199 Main Street in Altamont from 4 to 6 p.m. with a service conducted at 5:30 p.m.

“In lieu flowers, Skip would like you to buy something for yourself and think of him,” his family wrote.

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