James M. Kehr

James M. Kehr, 86, of Goshen, died Tuesday, April 6, 2021, at The Maples at Waterford Crossing.

He was born November 14, 1934 in Goshen to James M. and Catharine (Stouder) Kehr.

On May 11, 1957 he married Marilyn M. Murray in Goshen. They would have been married 64 years this May.

She survives along with a son, Stephen J. Kehr, also of Goshen; two sisters, Lorna (Patrick) Billey of Columbus, Indiana and Jennifer (David) Parent of Osceola; a brother, Jeff Kehr of Elkhart; and many nieces and nephews.

Mr. Kehr served in the U.S. Navy from 1952–1955, in Hutchinson, Kansas and aboard the U.S. Salem CA139.

He, along with his wife, Marilyn, owned and operated a sewing machine business in Goshen from 1963 until it was sold in 1982. He continued to work on sewing machines in his home until 2004.

A member of Middlebury Church of the Brethren since 1999, he was re-baptized July 23, 2000 in the Little Elkhart River. He served the church as a Deacon, Sunday school president and usher.

Always active in the community, Mr. Kehr was a member of the Goshen Jaycees from 1961-71, serving as President 1969-70. Other Elkhart County organizations include, Boy Scouts of America, district commissioner; Goshen Chamber of Commerce, President 1974-75; Goshen’s Aviation Commissioner; and Department of Emergency Management from 1986-92; and volunteer at LoveWay, Inc.

Jim was first taken fishing at the age of 4, and it became a life-long activity. He was a founder of the Maple City Anglers; a member of Spoonpluggers of America since 1995; and a life member of North America Fisherman.

As a long-time amateur radio hobbyist, Jim was a member of Goshen’s Amateur Radio Club since 1978, and helped to form several emergency radio clubs for Elkhart County.

Visitation will be Tuesday, April 13, 2021 from 9:30 a.m. until the 11 a.m. funeral service at Yoder-Culp Funeral Home, Goshen.

Burial will follow at Violett Cemetery, Goshen.

Memorial gifts may be directed to the National Parkinson Foundation, 200 SE 1 Street, Suite 800, Miami, Florida 33131 https://www.parkinson.org/ ,  or the Humane Society of Elkhart County, 54687 C.R. 19, Bristol, Indiana 46507, https://elkharthumanesociety.org/ .