Donna Kerr Obituary

Donna M. Kerr, 90, of Sarasota, Florida, passed away peacefully on January 24, 2026. She celebrated that milestone birthday on Christmas Eve of 2025.

A native of Limestone Township, Clarion County, PA, she was born on December 24, 1935, the ninth and youngest child of Wayne and Ruby (White) Eshbaugh. She graduated from Clarion-Limestone High School in 1953, where she was the youngest member of her graduating class. She also attended Youngstown State University.

Donna was active in the Kingsville United Methodist Church from a young age and became the youngest representative to attend the Church's National Conference. There, she gave an address to the Conference and met global Methodist members from many countries around the world.

Donna was a talented musician, playing the piano well into her senior years, and she played the violin in young adulthood. She had a lovely soprano singing voice and enjoyed singing in choral groups at church.

She married Walter Kerr on July 21,1962 at Epworth United Methodist Church in New Castle, PA where she was working as church secretary and Youth Fellowship Director. They also served as Methodist Youth Fellowship Directors together.

In 1974 they moved to Austintown, Ohio and joined Western-Reserve United Methodist Church in Canfield, Ohio. At that time, Donna and Walt began Christmas Eve Open House parties at their home where friends and relatives would visit and eat from a buffet of entrees and desserts. Guests brought additional dishes to add to the array of foods for everyone to share well into the night.

Always focused on family, Donna was involved in the annual family reunions of Eshbaugh-White relatives held in the Summerville area. In 2011, when she discovered the name of the ancestor her mother told her fought in the Revolutionary War, she became a member of the Daughters of the Revolution through her ancestor, John McMillen.

Donna was well known as a friendly, caring, and generous person. Many people remember. her pretty smile and outgoing nature. She was a talented baker of special desserts, such as coconut cream pies, Texas sheet cake, and Christmas cookies.

Donna and Walt moved to Siesta Key in Sarasota, Florida in June of 2000 so they could enjoy the white sand beaches and year-round warm weather, saying good-bye to the snow and ice of Ohio.

Donna was predeceased by her husband, Walter Kerr, her parents, and eight older siblings. She is survived by her daughter, Lisa Kerr Ilowite, her son-in-law, Dr. Robert Ilowite, and a very large network of family and friends who will miss her dearly.



Burial of her and Walt's cremains will take place at Castle View Memorial Gardens in Neshannock Township, PA in the spring. A Memorial Service for both Donna and Walt will also be held then. Arrangements for that service will be published when the interment is scheduled.