Kerry Ray Borders

Kerry R. Borders, 75, of Connersville, IN passed away peacefully on the morning of ­­December 7, 2025, in the comfort of his home.

One of two children of Joseph Ray and Billie Jean Lawrence Borders, Kerry was born on June 11, 1950, in Oakland City, Indiana. He attended Maplewood School and was a 1968 graduate of Connersville High School. Throughout high school, Kerry played the trumpet in the marching band and while attending Indiana University, he was a member of IU’s Marching 100. Kerry worked at D&M, J & J Packing, and other manufacturing companies; for the past 10 years, he worked delivering parts for Advance Auto Parts. Mostly, Kerry enjoyed sharing his love for sports and his passion for music with his family.

On June 27, 1970, Kerry married Joann Marie Risch in St. Gabriel Church. Living in Connersville, IN, they raised two sons while owning and operating B & B Enterprises and The Connersville Gymnastics Center. Kerry was instrumental in the formation of the first T-Ball teams in the 1970’s, and he had many fond memories of coaching his sons’ youth baseball and basketball teams throughout their elementary school years.

Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Joann, two sons, Rob Borders and Tony (Lisa) Borders, four grandchildren, Logan (Erin) Borders, Matthew (Kaitlyn) Borders, Emily Beheler (Varun), and Clint Beheler and his great-grandson, Sawyer Beheler. He is also survived by 13 brothers and sisters-in-law, Shirley and Kevin Wise, Eddie Risch, Helen Edwards, Karen Boulware and Mark Lippincott, Lois Risch, Nancy Barr, Lowell Risch, Judy and Randy Smith, Rosemary and Mark Brown, as well as several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Kerry is preceded in death by, his sister, Connie Marco, his father and mother-in-law, Larry and Catherine Risch, two brothers-in-law, Gary Edwards and Chuck Boulware, and a niece, Beth Risch Stayer.

Kerry’s funeral will be celebrated by Reverend Dustin Boehm at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, December 18, 2025, at Showalter Blackwell Long Funeral Home in Connersville, IN where friends and family may begin to arrive at 10:15 a.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Fayette County Animal Shelter or an animal shelter of one’s choice.