Jerry Kerr

HERRIN -- Jerry "J.K." Kerr, 74, died Wednesday, March 26, 2014, at his home, surrounded by his wife and friends and his dog, Bridgette. He was born Sunday, Jan. 7, 1940, in Herrin, to Raymond and Claudia (Hogue). He was married to Kim (Shelton) Kerr of Herrin. She survives and she was his best friend and loving wife for several years. Also surviving is his loving dog, Bridgette. He was preceded in death by his parents and his grandparents, Claude and Oma Hogue who raised him. He is also survived by one bother-in-law and sister-in-law and their spouses, Kevin and Christine Shelton and Lydia and Randy Shelton, both of Phoenix Ariz. He was employed by Freeman United Coal Company, having worked at Orient 5 and retired as a underground foreman at Orient 6. Jerry was a lifetime member of the Herrin Elks 1146 and a member of Herrin Prairie Lodge 693 and of the Protestant faith. Services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday in Van Natta Funeral Home located at 427 S. Park Ave., in Herrin, with the Rev. Don Colson officiating. Burial of his ashes will be in Herrin City Cemetery. Elks funeral rites will be conducted by the Herrin Elks at noon Saturday at the funeral home. Visitation will be from 11:00am until 1:00 pm at the funeral home on Saturday.  Memorials may be made to St. Francis Community Animal Rescue and Education, 6228 Country Club Road, Murphysboro IL 62966. Envelopes will be provided by the funeral home.