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Kerr, John Harvey
John Harvey Kerr, 88, of Lisbon, died Saturday, May 19, 2012, at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf House of Mercy, Hiawatha. Graveside services, with military honors, 10 a.m., Saturday, May 26, at West Branch Cemetery on North Maple Street. Following the graveside services, there will be a memorial open house from noon until 2 p.m. at Morgan Funeral Choices, Mount Vernon. Guests will be invited to share memories of John and a light lunch will be served.
John was born Feb. 11, 1924, in West Liberty, the son of Harvey and Lenes Buttre Kerr. He graduated from West Liberty High School in 1941 and attended Iowa State University, before enlisting in the military. John served during World War II from 1943 to 1945 with the 4th Marine Division in the Pacific and was awarded a Purple Heart for service during the battle of Iwo Jima. He married Jean Driscoll in August 1947. Jean passed away in 1982. In 1987, John married Joy Strausbaugh, who passed away in 2006.
Survivors include two sons, John S. Kerr and Mark Kerr and wife Peg all of Mount Vernon; three grandchildren, Lindsey (Kerr) Hotz and husband Jeremy of Mechanicsville, and Jacqueline Kerr and Chris Kerr. both of Mount Vernon; two great-grandchildren; and a sister, Jane Trainer of Fort Myers, Fla.
He was preceded in death by his wives, Jean and Joy; son Chris; two brothers, William and Kenneth; and two sisters, Virginia Stratton and Mary Dell Hintz.
A memorial fund is being established by the family.
Published in The Gazette May 22, 2012.
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