Jo-Ann KERR

29 OCT 1935 - 29 MAR 2017

• BIRTH: 29 OCT 1935, Mishawaka, St Joseph, IN
• DEATH: 29 MAR 2017, Tampa, Hillsborough, FL

• MARRIAGE: 1956, St Joseph County, IN

1.  Jill Ann BOEPPLE

INDEX

[N32753] Jo-Ann Kerr Boepple

BIRTH
29 Oct 1935
Mishawaka, St. Joseph County, IN

DEATH
9 Mar 2017 (aged 81)
Tampa, Florida

BURIAL
Edwardsburg Cemetery
Edwardsburg, Cass County, Michigan
PLOT Row 69
MEMORIAL ID 177256448

EDWARDSBURG - Jo-Ann Kerr Boepple, 81, of Edwardsburg passed away on March 9, 2017 in Tampa, Florida. She was the daughter of Julia and Thomas Kerr and was born on October 29, 1935 in Mishawaka, IN. She grew up in Mishawaka, spending childhood summers at Pleasant Lake, and graduated from St. Joseph High School, South Bend, in 1953. On June 23, 1956, she married Richard Boepple. The couple celebrated their 60th Anniversary in 2016. Surviving are four children, Janet Adams (Rex), James, John and Jill; five grandchildren, Julie Cisneros, Noelle Bullard, Leah Boepple, Lindsey Stone and Corey Boepple; and six great-grandchildren. Also surviving are her brother, John Kerr and many cousins, nieces and nephews. Jo-Ann earned a Bachelor of Science degree in education at Indiana University South Bend, where she was also a visiting lecturer. She earned a Master of Arts at Western Michigan University in Academic Administration. Jo-Ann loved teaching and taught school initially in Niles, then spent 27 years as a teacher, assistant principal, principal and director of community education in the Edwardsburg Public Schools. She also taught at Southwestern Michigan College, Dowagiac, and Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, as an adjunct faculty member. She was an author of the social studies curriculum objectives, 1985-1987, Early Childhood Standards of Quality, 1990-1991, both for the Michigan Department of Education. She worked extensively with youth outside the classroom as a sixth grade camp director, and directed high school musicals. She served as the director of an early childhood program in the school district, and directed plays at the Barnswallow Summer Theater. She held many positions with the Michigan Reading Association (MRA), a professional association of more than 5,000 Michigan teachers and served as the organization's parliamentarian, director of membership, vice-president, and president. During her years with the MRA, she traveled throughout the United States lecturing about the importance of reading. In her role as president of the MRA, she also planned a conference for more than 4,000 professionals and made many, many friends throughout Michigan. Jo-Ann was passionate about history and, after retirement, she took great pains to document Edwardsburg's history-which inspired a second career in local history. In 1998, she inquired at a local Golden Age Club meeting if anyone was interested in starting a museum. This led to organize and eventually serve as president of the Edwardsburg Area Historical Museum board of directors, and as museum director where she worked with others of similar minds and purpose. She often said that founding the museum was one of the most difficult, yet most rewarding tasks she had tackled. She was proud of the museum, its many volunteers and was looking forward to new projects and ways to expand its mission. Jo-Ann believed in civic and professional service. She was a member of the Cass County Teacher's Association, Tri-County Retired Teachers, was president of the Tri-County Reading Council, and treasurer of the Tri-County Women in Educational Administration. She was vice-president and president of the Edwardsburg Business and Professional Women, which named her its Woman of Achievement in 1991, and was a member of the Edwardsburg Optimist Club board of directors. She was a member of the Girl Scouts of Singing Sands board of directors and first vice president, and a member of the Edwardsburg Uptown Improvement Association. She served as secretary-treasurer and president of the Berrien-Cass Continuing Education Association, which named her as Educator of the Year in 1988. She was a charter member of the Edwardsburg Village Council, a member of its planning commission, and was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma. She and her husband, Dick, had a zest for life and learning and traveled throughout the United States and Europe. Along with her family and career, Jo-Ann enjoyed working in her flower gardens, spending time near water, cooking, singing and planning family get togethers. Family and friends may call from 2:00 to 4:00 and 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 16, at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, and again from 11:30 until the service at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, March 17, also at the church. The Rev. Joseph McCormick, will officiate. Burial will be in the Edwardsburg Cemetery. The family requests that memorial donations in her name be made to the Edwardsburg Area Historical Museum, P.O. Box 694, Edwardsburg, MI 49112. Arrangements are by the Paul E. Mayhew Funeral Home, Edwardsburg.
Published in South Bend Tribune from Mar. 12 to Mar. 15, 2017

Family Members

Parents
Thomas Lincoln Kerr
1909-1988

Julia C. Gramza Kerr
1916-1993

Spouse
Richard Henry Boepple
1930 - unknown (m. 1956