Jeffrey “Jeff” Kerschner, 69, passed away peacefully at home on Oct. 30 in Lenoir City following a battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his loving family.
Mr. Kerschner was born on April 6, 1956, in Dayton, Ohio, to Robert and Marilyn Kerschner. He graduated from Ohio State University in 1983. He worked for 38 years in the dairy industry, where he demonstrated leadership and expertise in plant manufacturing and quality-control management.
Mr. Kerschner married his wife, Maureen, on June 30, 1978, in Dayton. They were married for 47 years, living in eight states and 14 cities while sharing adventures together and growing their family and their faith.
Mr. Kerschner was a tremendously loyal fan of Ohio State University and an avid golfer. He thought Saturdays were for golf and college football. He also enjoyed the outdoors, especially fishing and camping in his retirement years in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Indian Boundary in the Cherokee National Forest.
He loved to watch his grandchildren’s sporting events and valued tight-knit relationships with family and close friends. In an ever-noisy world, he carried himself with quiet strength but always spoke up for those he loved most. He held himself to a high standard and cultivated an attention to detail in his children and grandchildren.
Mr. Kerschner is survived by his wife of Lenoir City; his daughter, Mary (Philip) Hanneman, of Knoxville; his son, Nicholas (Allie) Kerschner, of Spring Hill, Tenn.; his sister, Lynn (Melvin) Singer, of Centerville, Ohio; and his eight grandchildren, Henry, Luke, Lydia, Peter, Julia, Caroline, Reagan, and a grandbaby on the way.
He is preceded in death by his father and mother and his brother, Jonathan Kerschner.
A funeral Mass and inurnment for Mr. Kerschner was held on Dec. 5 at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. Donations in Mr. Kerschner’s memory may be made to the Pregnancy Help Center at Catholic Charities of East Tennessee (ccetn.org/donate).