Richard Kerr

Richard S. Kerr, 96, of Streator died on September 24 at Heritage Manor in Streator.

Born January 23, 1920 in Streator, he was the son of Walter H. Kerr and Nell (Lorenz) Kerr.  He married Nancy Rebecca Wright on April 23, 1948 in Streator.  They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in April of 2008 and Nancy passed away in June of 2008.  Richard has a daughter, Leslie (Kerr) (Larry) Schubert of Woodstock, Illinois, and sons Christopher (Mary) of Morton, Illinois and Stuart (Jane) of Morris, Illinois.  Grandchildren include Lindsey Schubert, Katherine (Schubert) Musser, Abby (Kerr) Berry, Trevor Kerr, Christopher Kerr and Katherine (Kerr) Pogeman.  He has seven great-grandchildren: Parker Jane Berry, Johnny Ryan Berry, Hadley Laine Berry, Keegan Alexis Kerr, Kamden James Kerr, Clara Helen Musser and Kayla Luise Pogeman.  Richard is also survived by his brother, Walter L. (Elizabeth) Kerr and three nephews Kevin, Peter and Penn Kerr of Seattle, Washington.

Richard was a 1937 graduate of Streator High School and a 1943 graduate of the University of Illinois.  At the outbreak of WWII, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was awarded a commission in 1942.  Serving aboard the destroyer USS Gridley, he saw action in some of the most significant naval battles in the Pacific theater, including the battle of Leyte Gulf.  In 1946, he was honorably discharged from the service with the rank of Lieutenant, and entered the family jewelry business in partnership with his father.  He continued to run the business following his father’s death in 1966, and retired in 1983.  Richard is fondly remembered by many people in Streator who either knew him as a friend or did business with him at Kerr Jewelry.  He was a man who extended the hand of friendship to all.  Richard was particularly pleased when, a few years ago, the “Kerr clock” was replaced on Main Street.  He also took a flight to Washington as part of Honor Flight Chicago’s service to WWII veterans in the summer of 2015, saying afterwards, “It was the best day of my life.”

Richard was a member of the Park Presbyterian Church where he has served as Deacon and Trustee.  Richard also served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Riverview Cemetery.  He was a member of the Streator Leslie G. Woods American Legion Post 217 and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Lodge 591.

The funeral will take place at Park Presbyterian Church, 201 N. Vermillion St., Streator, Illinois at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 12.  Full Military rites will be conducted at the church following the services.  Interment will be at Riverview cemetery.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Honor Flight Chicago, 938 West Montana Street, Chicago, Illinois 60614, the Streator Public Library, 130 S. Park Street, Streator, Illinois 61364 or Park Presbyterian Church, 201 N. Vermillion St., Streator, Illinois 61364.

The Hagi Funeral Home in Streator is in charge of the arrangements.

Online condolences and remembrances may be shared at www.hagifuneralhome.com