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Daniel J. Kerber, 79, of Troy, Ohio, died Saturday, June 11, at Brookdale Troy.
Dan was a brother, husband, father, grandfather, business owner, community volunteer, neighbor, supporter of civic activities, beekeeper, train enthusiast, genealogist, hobby farmer, history buff, card player and known for his mischievous streak.
Daniel Joseph Kerber was born March 26, 1943, in Sidney, Ohio, the son of Dorothy (Wuebker) and George Kerber, and was the oldest of 12 children. He married his wife of 56 years, Carole E. (Glauner) Kerber in Springfield, Ohio, on Oct. 9, 1965, and she survives.
He’s also survived by his four children and their spouses, Kathy Kerber of Troy, Beth Sears of Covington and Randy, Grant and Beth Kerber of Troy, and Steve and Bridgit Kerber of Covington; eight grandchildren, Megan and Daniel Sawchek, Skyler and Jordyn Williams, Kendall and Avery Kerber, and Wyatt and Isabella Kerber; brothers and sisters, Bill Kerber, Bob (Mary Ann) Kerber, John (Ellen) Kerber, Linda (Steve) Schmitmeyer, Nancy (Mark) Bokermann, George (Muffy) Kerber, Mike (Sharon) Kerber, Fred (Julie) Kerber, Alan (Kim) Kerber, Joe (Patty) Kerber and Gary Kerber; sister-in-law, Mary Kay (Karl) Runser, numerous nieces and nephews; and many others he treated as family. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister-in-law, Sharon Kerber.
After graduating from the University of Dayton in 1965, he worked at Huffaker Plumbing and Heating before starting Kerber Sheet Metal Works (now KSM Metal Fabrication) on April 1, 1979. As a business owner, he was especially proud that KSM made parts for the space shuttle, that the business supported community organizations, and that he worked alongside his daughter, Kathy, in the family business.
He was a past director and president of the Sheet Metal Roofing Contractors Association of the Miami Valley (SMRCA). He served as a trustee for the Health and Welfare Fund and was a member of the Labor/Management Committee. He also served on the Board of Directors for the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors National Association (SMACNA) and other committees for the national association. He was inducted into the College of Fellows for SMACNA.
Dan was a member of St. Patrick’s Church in Troy. He was involved in and supported many civic organizations, including being a founding board member of the Future Begins Today, a longtime lunch buddy at Kyle Elementary School and an advisory board member of the Miami County Park District. A member of the Troy Optimists, he participated in many Optimist activities, and he and his wife, Carole, began a kite fly held in Troy for many years.
Dan was involved in genealogical research and often visited cemeteries and libraries during travels around the country and abroad. He traced his family tree back many generations, some to 17th century Germany.
He and his wife were involved in many Troy Southwest Historic District activities, including making floats for the annual Troy Strawberry Festival Parade and participating in the neighborhood dinner club.
For many years, Dan spent Saturday mornings at his farm, where he pursued beekeeping, working in the woods, driving his Massey Ferguson tractor and other farm-related activities. He and Carole hosted pig roasts and Fourth of July parties at “The Farm.” He also enjoyed hunting wild asparagus and tried to keep the places he found it a secret.
Although his siblings live throughout the United States, Dan kept in contact with them with phone calls on Christmas and on their birthdays. One of his favorite events was the annual Kerber men’s campout that started with his brothers and, over 30 years, grew to include in-laws, sons, nephews and many honorary Kerbers. He enjoyed playing pinochle with his brothers, and was known for the hard knock he made when laying down cards.
His children remember him for his games of solitaire—and each of them has a story about how he taught them to drive a stick shift. He carved out time for each of them whether that be fishing, lunch at K’s or Sideliners, a drive in the country, going to Cleveland Browns and Dayton Flyers games, attending car races, trips to the Florida keys, or being a helper on one of his crazy projects.
All remember him as a man who delighted in the everyday joys of life and treated others with kindness.
A Celebration of Life and reception is planned from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, June 23, at the Hayner Cultural Center in Troy. The family also plans a private Mass of Christian Burial at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church at a future date. Funeral arrangements are being provided to the family through Jamieson & Yannucci Funeral Home.
The family thanks the staff at Brookdale of Troy for their exceptional care, support and kindness for the past three years and the Ohio Valley Hospice.
In support of Dan’s philosophy of giving back to his community, memorial donations may be made to the Pearl Foundation Fund of the Troy Foundation, The Future Begins Today, the Ohio Valley Hospice, or to your own favorite charity that would make him smile.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of DANIEL J. KERBER, please visit our floral store.
Pearl Foundation Fund of the Troy Foundation
216 W. Franklin St., Troy OH 45373
Web: https://ttf.fcsuite.com/erp/donate
The Future Begins Today
P.O. Box 511, Troy OH 45373
Web: https://thefuturebeginstoday.org/giving-opportunities/donate/
Ohio Valley Hospice
322 W. Main St. Suite B, Troy OH 45373
Web: https://ohiovalleyhospice.com/donate/