KERR, Charles W. (1928-2022)

KERR

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 7/1/2022 at 17:36:07

Charles Wendell Kerr
(January 4, 1928 - May 1, 2022)

Services for Charles Wendell “Chuck” Kerr, 94, of Indianola, IA, who passed away Sunday, May 1, 2022 at Kavanagh House in Des Moines, will be held 10:30 a.m., Friday, May 6 at the First United Methodist Church in Indianola. Visitation will be held prior to services from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at the church. A graveside service will be held 3 p.m., Friday at the Sorden Cemetery in Webster.
Charles “Chuck” Kerr was born in Cuba, IL on January 4, 1928 to parents Elva Leona Albert Kerr and Andrew Kerr. He had four brothers and one sister. His mother died when he was six years old of an infection, which penicillin would have cured. This event changed the course of his life. He and his siblings were separated and raised by various loving relatives and neighbors. Having his own family became the most important thing in his life. His father never remarried and died at the age of 95.
Chuck graduated from high school in 1946 and joined the United States Navy, attending boot camp in San Diego and then going on to the Naval Air Station in Jacksonville, FL. He was an aviation electrician and also played basketball for the Navy. His friend in the Navy, urged him to go to Simpson College to play for Coach Casey, and in 1948, he did. It was there he met his college sweetheart, Roberta Starry, and they married following her graduation in 1950. Shortly after, he was re-called for active duty for the Korean Conflict. Once again, he was sent to Jacksonville and Roberta left her teaching job in order to go with him. They returned to Simpson campus where Chuck received a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration in 1953. He received the Simpson Loyalty Award and was inducted into the Simpson Hall of Fame for his excellence in basketball. His letter jacket remains on display there.
Chuck had the distinction of being in the insurance field all his adult life. First as an underwriter and then as an agent. He was with Iowa Farm Bureau, Aetna Insurance Co., and Bankers Life, which became Principal Life Insurance Company. Even in “retirement” he was often consulted by people who needed advice. He loved to take care of people.
Rotary International was a vital force in his life. He and Roberta hosted many international guests and students. They were able to be Rotary Friendship Exchange visitors to Ireland, Guatemala, South Africa and Australia. Traveling to China with two of his granddaughters was also a highlight in his life. His special interests were the Operation Smile program to correct cleft palates, Polio Plus program to eradicate polio around the world, and the Wheelchair Foundation; even giving wheelchairs in honor of each child and grandchildren on their birthdays. Chuck’s favorite place in the world, however, was their big “yellow house,” where he raised his children, welcomed friends, and delighted in his grandchildren’s visits. He was known for cooking his fried chicken dinners, big breakfasts for visitors, Grandaddy Specials, and Kougan.
He had a talent for carving, and delighted in finding drift wood that had a face inside just waiting to be carved out. He also carved many miniature boots complete with dates and names, given as gifts in recognition of special occasions. Chuck loved to hunt mushrooms and always hoped to find an entire field of them. Maybe in heaven he will!
He was blessed with four children, Chris Pace of Indianola, Cindy (Jon) Schuman of Johnston, Lisa (Steve) Gray of Indianola, and David (Sonya) Kerr of New Waverly, TX. He was a very proud “Granddad” and bragged about his grandchildren and great-grandchildren to anyone who would listen. He challenged them to Battleship games and taught them to fish. He is survived by 15 grandchildren, Kyle (Angie) Schuman, Allison Schuman (Dustin) Kupka, Daniel (Lindsay) Schuman, Alex Schuman, Laura Pace (Grant) Snyder, Tyler (Alicia) Gray, Spencer (fiancé Dani Smith) Gray, Jenna Gray, Emily Paschke, Ryan Paschke, Lin Marie Kerr (Jonathan) Grace, Chian Kerr (Jesse) Crawford, Cheney Emberg, Kennedy Kerr, and Gabriel Kerr.
He loved his 18 great-grandchildren, Aubrey Schuman, Blake Schuman, Trey Kupka, Trevor Kupka, Tessa Kupka, Lily Schuman, Chloe Schuman, Malcolm Gray, Octavian Gray, Kingston Paschke, Sofia Grace, Ariana Snyder, Ellorie Snyder, Ryland Snyder, Aleah Charlson, Ashlynn Hanson, Mason Frevert, and Zander Poe. He is also survived by his sister, Mavis Beane of New Haven, Connecticut.
Chuck was preceded in death by his wife of 70 years, Roberta Starry Kerr; three grandchildren, Brian Pace, Michelle Pace and Logan Kerr-Gray; son-in-law, Ed Pace; parents, Elva and Andrew Kerr; four brothers, Ray, Wilson, Gerald and Romeyn Kerr. This memorial is provided by Overton Funeral Home, 501 West Ashland Ave., Indianola, Iowa, http://www.overtonfuneral.com/