Rev. Millard “Gene” Kerby, age 84, of Oak Hill, Ohio, and formerly of Calhoun County, West Virginia, went to meet his Lord and Savior on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2017 from the Edgewood Manor Nursing Facility in Wellston, Ohio. He was born Aug. 26, 1932 in Calhoun County, West Virginia to the late Orval Kerby and Velma B. Carpenter Kerby.
Gene was a 1950 graduate of Calhoun County High School and a graduate of Salem College, where he earned his degree in Pastoral Ministries. Rev. Kerby’s first pastoral charge was in 1961 at Grantsville, West Virginia. He went on to serve several churches in the West Virginia United Methodist Conference for over 37 years until his retirement in 1998.
Gene was a veteran of both the United States Army and the United States Air Force, having served during the Korean Conflict. He was member of the American Legion Post in West Virginia and the Harmony Lodge #59 F&AM in Pennsboro, West Virginia. Gene’s passion was to serve the Lord, but he also enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He is survived by his children, Randall Kerby of Wellston, Ohio, Sharlene Bailey (Dan) of Oak Hill, Ohio, and Darlene Phillips of Williamstown, West Virginia; sister, Mildred Hall (Harold) of Hartsville, Oh., along with seven grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, Fran Wilson, and several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Besides his parents, Gene was preceded in death by his wife, Martha “Marie” Kerby; brother, Donald Kerby; and sister, Helen Kerby.
Calling hours will be Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017 from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Hur Community Church in Hur, West Virginia, where funeral services will follow at 2 p.m. with Rev. Harold Duskey officiating. Burial will follow in the Hur Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of the McWilliams Funeral Home in Wellston, Ohio. Online condolences can be sent to the family at www.mcwilliams-funeralhome.com