Michael Anthony “Tony” Kersey, 67 of Taylorville, passed away on Saturday, June 10, 2023 in his home.  He was born on April 15, 1956 in Mattoon, the son of Roscoe Meredith and Virginia Kathryn (Byus) Kersey.  He married LeAnn Lowrance on August 11, 1979 in Owaneco.  He graduated from Mattoon High School in 1975, and from Lake Land College in 1977.  Tony retired from the Illinois Secretary of State Capital Police on January 1, 2019 following 40 years of service.  He was a member of the Owaneco United Methodist Church, Bromwell Masonic Lodge #451 in Assumption, and the Taylorville Moose Lodge #1516.  He enjoyed fishing, gardening, and mushroom hunting for hen of the woods and morels. 

He is survived by his wife: LeAnn Kersey of Taylorville; children: Nicole “Niki” Michelle LeAnn Kersey (David Papp) of Chatham, William “Will” Jon Michael Kersey of New York, New York, and Gwen Katheryn Aliese Kersey (Brad Williams) of Taylorville; granddaughter: Kennedi Michelle LeAnn Papp of Chatham; brother: Clarence David Kersey of Mattoon; sister: Judy Canupp (Terry) of Washington, Missouri; sister-in-law: Jane Oberbroeckling (Rick) of Dubuque, Iowa, nieces, nephews, and their grandchildren: Kris & Stacey Kersey, Karl & Rebecca Kersey, Kory Kersey, Kelly Standish (Jim), Mary Kersey (Kat), Tim Kersey (Charity) Kathryn Scheel (Jeff), Laura Desmond (Rich), Mara Bertinetti, Terri Lowrance, Bill Lowrance (Cari), Kevin Oberbroeckling (Chris), Korbi Oberbroeckling, Tricia Lowrance, Traci Ater (Todd), Bruce “Dell” Lowe, JoAnn Reilly (Chris), Larry Hartnell, Darren Hartnell, Gina Ritchie (Josh); and special cousins: Jack and Julia Donley, Ken Kersey, and Kevin Kersey.  He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers: Meredith “Bud” Kersey (Ruby), Thomas E. Kersey (Susan); sisters: Virginia Suzanne “Suzi” Wright, and Anita Kersey in infancy; brothers and sisters-in-law: Erron Lowrance, Jerry Lowrance (Sandi), Jon Lowrance, and Lisa Hartnell (Darrell).

A memorial service for Tony will take place at 11:00a.m. on Saturday, June 17, 2023 at the Owaneco United Methodist Church with Pastor Randy Burwell officiating and Don Tucker assisting.  Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service on Saturday.  Inurnment will be in the Fraley Cemetery, Taylorville.  Memorial donations may be made to the Owaneco United Methodist Church or the SIU School of Medicine, Simmons Cancer Institute for Glioblastoma research.  McClure Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Taylorville is assisting the family with arrangements.