John Kerr

John Samuel Kerr, 80, died December 11, 2021 at his home with his family present after a short battle with lung cancer. He was born June 21, 1941 in Sigourney to Homer Samuel and Dorothy Adeline Williams Kerr. He graduated from English Valley High School in 1959. On September 3, 1960 he married Nancy Lea Hootman at the English River Church of the Brethren near South English. John Served in the United States Army serving from 1960 to 1963. He returned home and farmed with his dad.  In 1970 he and Nancy and her brother Carol Hootman, purchased Timberlane Lodge near Ear Fall, Ontario, Canada and they moved there with the children and operated the fishing/hunting resort until 1976.  John and the family moved back to Iowa and resumed farming with his dad near South English.

He was a lifelong member of the English River Church of the Brethren, Boy Scout leader, Keokuk County Farm Bureau serving several offices, the Izaak Walton League, and taught as a gun safety instructor for nearly 20 years.

He served on the Keokuk County Board of Review and also enjoyed working elections.

He was an avid reader, loved to visit with people, and didn’t know a stranger.  He guided many fisherman and hunters to Canada, and enjoyed fish and hunting with his friends.  He was always ready to tell a story of an adventure.  John mad many trips back to Canada with family and friends, and especially enjoyed taking grandchildren on fishing trips.  In later years, his sister JoAnn Homer, got him interested in pen making with a lathe.  He made many gifts.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

He loved and enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren and several of his close friends.

He is survived by his wife Nancy of 61+ years, children, daughter Jan (Nick) Berg of Delta and their family, Aaron Berg and Brandy, Brandon (Julianna) Berg, Mabel, June, and Iris. A son,  Richard (Amy) Kerr of South English and their children, Justin (Jenny) Baumert, Jordan and Jonah, Mickayla Kerr (Breckon), Seth (Bianca) Kerr, Charlotte, Vivian, and Lincoln, Leah (John) Mather, Zoey Parker. Daughter Lisa A. Martin of Monroe, her children, Allison (Kevin) Langreck and Ava, Faith Martin, Jack (Brooke Edwards) Martin and Royce, Sarah (Coby Meyer) Martin.  John had a special relationship with one of his sisters JoAnn Horner, mother-in-law Alice Hootman and brother- in- law Carol Hootman. Other considered family members include Carson and Tarrah Tigges and their children Eli and Indy, Mattie Dillon and many other too numerous to list.