From New Castle News
Walter Allen Kerr, 86, of Sarasota, Florida, died unexpectedly on June 3, 2020, at Doctors Hospital in Sarasota.
Walt was born on Jan. 21, 1934 in New Castle, the youngest child of Elmer and Sara (Parker) Kerr.
After graduating from New Castle High School in 1952, he attended Youngstown State University.
He was a career electrician, retiring from the General Motors Assembly Plant in Lordstown, Ohio, after 30 years of service. He was a union member of UAW Local 1112. He also worked at McKay Electric and Rockwell International Corp in New Castle.
He was tall and athletic, playing basketball and baseball. He was a lifelong fan of the Cleveland Indians and the Cleveland Browns.
Walt served in the U.S. Army Signal Corps from 1956 to 1958 during the "Cold War." He achieved the rank of Corporal (E-4), Carrier Repeater Repairman (Telecommunications). He was the team leader in Stuttgart, Germany, that earned the general's special commendation for clear field communications.
He married Donna M. Eshbaugh on July 21, 1962, at Epworth United Methodist Church, his family's church, and where Donna was working as church secretary. They served together as Methodist youth fellowship directors and were active in many church activities. In 1974, he moved his family to Austintown, Ohio, where they joined Western Reserve United Methodist Church in Canfield, Ohio.
Walt and Donna loved to entertain friends and family. They were well known for their annual Christmas Eve parties where guests brought their favorite dishes to add to the buffet offerings, and everyone visited well into the night.
After Walt retired from General Motors in early 2000, he and Donna moved to Sarasota, Florida. They enjoyed the beach, visiting with friends and hosting out-of-town guests, showing them the local sights and excellent restaurants. They joined Venice-Nokomis United Methodist Church in Venice, Florida, and more recently worshiped at The Church of the Palms Presbyterian Church in Sarasota, Florida.
Walt was outgoing, good-natured and sociable. His son-in-law called him "the mayor" because he always saw someone he knew, regardless of where he went. Even when he vacationed in Scotland one year, he ran into a friend he didn't realize would be vacationing there, too.
He is survived by his wife, Donna; his daughter, Lisa Kerr Ilowite and son-in-law, Dr. Robert Ilowite of Branchburg, New Jersey; and two brothers, Gordon of Moreno Valley, California, and Bruce of Murrieta, California.
He was predeceased by his parents and a sister, Leah Dietterle.
He was cremated at The National Cremation Society in Sarasota, Florida. His remains will be interred at a later date in Castle View Memorial Gardens in New Castle.
Walt was the 233rd classmate to walk down the aisle at graduation. After his name in the Yearbook, it reads: Hall patrol 10, Concert Choir 11-12.
Walter
Allen Kerr
