Mary Lou Kercher

Mary Lou Kercher, 80, of Goshen, died Thursday morning, August 16, 2007, at St. Joseph Medical Center, South Bend after an 18 month illness. She was born in Forest, Ohio, on March 16, 1927, to Robert and Bessie (Opp) Rish.  She married William H. Kercher on July 24, 1954, in Forest Ohio.  He preceded her on December 15, 1976. Mrs. Kercher came to Goshen in 1954, from Indianapolis where she was working in Indiana University Hematology Research.  She had also worked at Miles Laboratories, South Bend Medical Foundation and as Head of Goshen General Hospital Clinical Laboratory prior to her retirement in 1989.  She had also served as vice president of Sunrise Orchard, Inc. A member of St. James Episcopal Church, Mrs. Kercher graduated from Wharton High School in Wharton, Ohio.  She received her bachelor’s degree from Bowling Green State University and graduated from Ohio State University Medical Technology School.  She was a member of Tri Kappa Associate, Philomathians, Literacy League (formerly Altrusa), American Society of Clinical Pathologists, Kappa Delta Sorority, Par-Mor Ladies Golf League, Big Bolder Ladies’ Golf League, Maplecrest Country Club, and Goshen Historical Society.  She volunteered with Meals on Wheels and the Red Cross. She is survived by a son, Thomas W. (Maureen) Kercher and a daughter, Janet (Steve) Dudley, both of Goshen; three grandchildren; and a brother, Victor Rish of Forest, Ohio. She was preceded in death by her husband, William. Friends will be received 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m., Friday, August 17 at the funeral home and one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. An 11:00 a.m., Saturday, August 18, 2007, funeral service will be conducted at St. James Episcopal Church.  Rev. Arthur Hadley, Interim pastor, will officiate. Burial will be in Violett Cemetery, Goshen. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. James Episcopal Church, Goshen Historical Society or Goshen General Hospital Foundation.