John Willard Kelsay, age 85, of Iberia, passed away on Tuesday, April 30, 2013, at Miller County Care and Rehabilitation Center in Tuscumbia. He was born in the Hickory Point area on May 2, 1927, son of the late Henry Willard and Velva Lacy (Forrester) Kelsay. On July 18, 1951, in Harrison, Arkansas, John married Carolyn Plemmons, who survives at the home.

John worked with his family as a turkey farmer in the Iberia area. He was a member of Gideon International and was a sponsor of Billy Graham Ministries for many years. He was saved and baptized at the age of 16.
John was a member of Hickory Point Baptist Church where he served as deacon.

He is also survived by one daughter, Belinda McNeal of Tuscumbia; two sons, Rickey Kelsay and wife Theresa and Bill Kelsay and wife Joni both of Iberia; eight grandchildren, Angela McNeal, Karin Bouldin, Mandy Dittmer, Emmy Tabor, Jared Kelsay, Mike Kelsay, Matt Kelsay, and John Kelsay; 14 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Wanda Mote and husband James and Joyce Jarrett both of Iberia; and one brother, Samuel Kelsay and wife Arlene of Iberia.

He was preceded in death by one son, John Kelsay; one son-in-law, Danny McNeal; one grandson, Timothy McNeal; and three great-grandchildren.

Service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 2, at Hickory Point Baptist Church near Iberia. Mac McCully will officiate. Interment will be in Hickory Point Cemetery near Iberia.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, May 1, at Fancher-Rekus Funeral Home in Iberia.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions are suggested to Gideon Bibles.