BETTENDORF — After valiantly undergoing treatments for metastasized cancer of the ampulla and praying for a cure the last two years, Steve passed away at his home on his birthday at the age of 63 surrounded by his beloved family and friends. Steve and his family want to thank his "A-Team" at Genesis for the excellent and compassionate care he and his family received. Deep gratitude also goes out to Genesis Hospice Care. They also thank all their loving, caring family and friends who have been with them and helped in countless ways during this difficult time.
Cremation rites have been accorded and visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. today Friday, March 23, 2012, at the McGinnis-Chambers Funeral Home in Bettendorf. Services to celebrate his life will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 24, 2012, at the funeral home. Inurnment with military honors will follow at Pleasant Valley Cemetery. All family and friends are invited to a luncheon as Trinity Lutheran Church of Pleasant Valley following the services.
Steve was born March 21, 1949, at the former St. Luke's Hospital in Davenport, the second son of Wayne and Evalyn (Irwin) Kerr. He enjoyed a wonderful childhood growing up on the family truck farm in Pleasant Valley. Steve worked very hard with his family and he enjoyed the work, the little time off that he had and the comradery with other families in Pleasant Valley.
He attended Pleasant Valley Schools and graduated from Pleasant Valley High School in 1967. He was then attending Iowa Technical School in Ottumwa, Iowa, when his draft number was coming up and he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. After boot camp at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center, he proudly served during the Vietnam Conflict on the USS Worden, the USS Saint Paul and the USS Ticonderoga. In August of 1972, he was honorably discharged as a Petty Officer Second Class.
He married Karen Jones at Zion Lutheran Church in Davenport on September 30, 1972. They met when Pleasant Valley Schools consolidated in 1959 and then in the 8th grade, Steve boldly declared he would marry her. They thanked God for the wonderful and adventurous years together. Steve and Karen were blessed with two sons, Jason Wayne in 1975 and Joshua Stephen in 1980. Jason married Jennifer Hintz in 1999 and they have two sons, CJ (Christopher Jason) and AJ (Andrew Jason) and reside in DeWitt, Iowa. Joshua married Shawna McAlerney in 2003. They live in Bettendorf with their children, Grace and Jared. Steve's wife and family were the heart and soul of his life. He was a committed, loving caregiver to his mother and for Karen's parents as they all became elderly.
Steve retired from the Rock Island Arsenal on September 30, 2004, with over 30 years of faithful service. He was a gifted welder, excelling in his technical skills and taking great pride in his level of craftsmanship.
He was a proud member of the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 776. A Boy Scout and outdoorsman himself, he was active in scouting with his sons as a leader and teacher to many scouts over the years.
Steve was a deeply spiritual man, finding God in everything from the very soil of this earth to the light in his grandchildren's eyes. During his illness, he buoyed his family and friends up with his strong positive nature and sense of humor.
He is survived by his wife; his sons and wives, grandchildren; his brother, Jeff and sister-in-law, Pam of Princeton, Iowa, and their children and grandchildren; his uncle, Russell and his wife Doris and cousin, Dennis, all in Wisconsin; Karen's mother, Phyllis Jones at Manor Care in Bettendorf; and his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Ron and Diann Jones and their family in California.
In lieu of flowers, his family request memorials be made to either the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 776 or the Boy Scouts of America, Illowa Council in Steve's honor.
"Search through me O God and know my heart. Examine me and know my disquieting thoughts and see whether there is in me any painful way, and lead me in the way of time indefinite." Psalm139: Chapters 23 & 24.