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Robert Kerr Obituary
He was born Dec. 30, 1922, at home in Gaskill Township near Big Run, the oldest child of William Reed and Clara Ruth Weiss Kerr.
On Dec. 11, 1948, he married Joan Colkitt, who preceded him in death in 2010.
A member of the "The Greatest Generation," Bob was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving in Europe during WWII. He received five bronze campaign stars, including the Normandy invasion where he landed on Utah Beach three days after D-Day, and the Battle of the Bulge.
After graduating from Apollo Ridge High School and returning from WWII, Bob spent most of his life in Big Run.
He was the owner of Kerr's Market and was the quintessential small-town grocer, with a ready grin and a story or local news to share, and was especially fond of the children who stopped in for penny candy or a pop.
Bob was a member of Big Run Methodist Church, Big Run Recreation Association, and a Punxsutawney school board director. He was Past Master of John W. Jenks Masonic Lodge #534, a founding member of VFW Post 9044 of Big Run, and later a member of Mahoning Valley Post 2076.
In honor of his 100th birthday, Big Run Mayor Buterbaugh and the Jefferson County commissioners declared Dec. 30, 2022, to be Robert Reed Kerr Day.
Robert is survived by his two children, Jeff Kerr and partner Jim Condon of Chicago, and Katie and husband John Uzzo of Pittsburgh, and three grandsons and eight great-grandchildren, A.J. and wife Stevie Dereume (children Augie, River and Amelia) Ben and wife Beth Dereume (children Frankie, Clark and June) and Jeff Dereume and wife Kathryn Boyle (children Evie and Maeve). Also surviving are two sisters, Lois Hudak and Nancy Hogan.
In addition to his wife of 62 years, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Harry W. Kerr and Charles R. (Dick) Kerr; two sisters, Jean Colkitt and Mary Wachob; and son-in-law August (Jack) Dereume.
Visitation will be Monday, May 19, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Deeley Funeral Home in Punxsutawney, with a service to be held at 1.
As Bob was an avid reader, donations in his memory may be made to the Punxsutawney Memorial Library.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Robert Kerr
Sponsored by Deeley Funeral Home, Inc. - Punxsutawney.
4 Entries
Paul London
May 19, 2025
God bless and comfort all concerned
Robin Garvin
May 18, 2025
My condolences to Jeff and Katie and your families. I had the honor and pleasure of caring for your father when I worked at the Masonic Village at Sewickley as the 3-11 shift RN Supervisor. He was such a kind, caring, and thoughtful person who had a warm and inviting smile. We shared a few laughs and a few stories about life in Gaskill Township and his grocery store. But the most ironic story was the one where he knew the Forstate Family who owned the shoe factory and their son, Dr. Bill was my mentor. Katie, you shared the story of working at the factory. Such a small world. I do hope that you both find peace and comfort knowing that your dad was an incredibly special man. May he have everlasting peace.
Warm regards,
Robin Garvin, MSN, CRNP
Beckey Lynne Elkin-Gotwald
May 18, 2025
He was one on of the kindest men I have ever met...when I seen him anywhere he chat with me for hours...he will truly be missed..
Randall Sawyer
May 17, 2025
It was the only store I remember that I could walk in and have him put groceries on our tab. He was indeed a blessing
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Deeley Funeral Home, Inc. - Punxsutawney33 Hillcrest Drive, Punxsutawney, PA 15767
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