Obituary of Sister Sharon Kerscher

Sister M. Sharon Kerscher, OSF Sister Sharon Kerscher, OSF (1926 - 2014) died at her home in Columbus, Ohio on September 24, 2014. A native of Columbus, Ohio, she was one of nine children born to Valentine and Martha Schmidt Kerscher. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Bernard, Edward, Charles and Ervin and sisters, Rita and Dolores. She is survived by her sister, Virginia Kerscher and brother, Paul (Jan) Kerscher and many nieces and nephews, including Sister Elaine Kerscher, OSF, a Joliet Franciscan. Sister Sharon was a treasured member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate (Joliet) for 68 years. Before entering religious life, Sister Sharon was a member of St. Mary Parish in Columbus, Ohio. She attended St. Mary Grade School and High School. She earned her Bachelor's Degree at the College of St. Francis (University of St. Francis) in Joliet, IL. Sister Sharon began her teaching ministry in 1949 at St. Peter Grade School in Mansfield, Ohio. Her 39 years as a primary teacher took her to Payne, Ohio, St. Raymond's in Joliet, Our Lady of Grace in Muskegon, Michigan and culminated with 20 years at Corpus Christi Parish in Columbus, Ohio. After leaving the field of education, Sister ministered as an office assistant and receptionist before retiring from active ministry in 2000. She continued to minister as a pastoral visitor to senior members of her parish community in Columbus. The wake for Sister Sharon will be at Our Lady of Angels Retirement Home, 1201 Wyoming Avenue, Joliet, IL, (Wyoming and Rt. 30) on Tuesday, September 30, 2014, from 2:00 - 6:45 p.m., with a Prayer Service at 4:45 p.m. and Mass of Christian Burial at 7:00 p.m. Memorials may be made to the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate, 1433 Essington Road, Joliet, IL 60435. The Funeral Procession will leave from Our Lady of Angels on Wednesday morning, October 1, 2014, at 9:00 a.m. The Interment will take place at Resurrection Cemetery in Romeoville, IL. Arrangements by Fred C. Dames Funeral Home (815) 741-5500 or www.fredcdames.com