Marvel Kerr

Marvel L. Kerr, age 101, passed away peacefully at Satchells Christian AFC Home on Sunday, January 18, 2009. Marvel was born on Thanksgiving Day, November 28, 1907 in Rantoul, Illinois, the daughter of the late Elmer & Elsie C. (Fultz) Bates. When she was seven years old, her father purchased an 80 acre farm near Shepherd, Michigan and moved the family from Illinois. Marvel graduated from Shepherd High School in 1925, attended Central Michigan University, and graduated in 1928 with a Life Certificate in teaching. She taught two years in Marion, Michigan and one year in a country school near Shepherd before going back to Central to receive a Bachelor of Science degree in 1933. At the time, teachers received only $30.00 per month and Marvel drove six miles each way to school and taught thirty students, eight grades and a primer class. When offered a better job opportunity to do office work at the Mt. Pleasant State Hospital in the fall of 1933, she willingly accepted the position. It was there that Marvel met the love of her life, Kenneth G. Kerr, who was storekeeper at the state hospital. They were united in marriage on September 12, 1936 in Shepherd. Marvel and Ken lived on the hospital grounds in Mt. Pleasant and moved to the grounds of the Caro State Hospital when Ken was made Business Manager there in 1939. After Kens untimely death on November 27, 1963, Marvel moved into Caro with their two young children. She was an active member of the Caro First Presbyterian Church, serving as an Elder, member of the Womens Association and as the church secretary for many years, retiring in 1985. In her younger years, Marvel was a substitute teacher, substituted at the Indianfields Township Library and worked in an income tax office. During her free time, she enjoyed rolling skating, knitting, sewing, playing bridge, golf and meeting people that were soon her friends. Marvel is survived by two children, Mary Kerr Conaton of Clio, Robert G. Kerr and his wife, Sandy Kerr, of Auburn; a special family son Donald Warren and family of Roscommon; eight grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband, Marvel was preceded in death by two sisters and one brother, Clara (Cliff) Imhoff, Ada Merle (Robert) Johnson and Robert Bates.