Carol Jean Kerler

Carol Jean (Clark) Kerler, age 75 of Eaton, Ohio died on April 3, 2021 at home surrounded by her family.  She was born October 24, 1945 in Richmond, Indiana to the late Stanley and Lucille (Straszheim) Clark.  She grew up on the family farm in Jackson Township, Preble County Ohio and graduated from Jackson High School in 1963.  Carol attended Miami University and started her teaching career in the Twin Valley Local School District at the Lanier building.  She taught through a teaching cadet program while working on her degree and raising her family. In 1984, Carol earned her Elementary Education Degree from Miami University. Carol taught first grade in the C.R. Coblentz Local School District for 19 years.  She married her husband, Fred Kerler on July 3, 1964.  They farmed together and raised two daughters, Kathy Ann Kerler Mowen (Eddie) and Paula Beth Kerler Baumann (Jerry).  Carol never lived more than a ½ mile from her childhood home and family farm.  Carol was a member of the New Hope United Method Church where she served as choir director and played piano for church.  She was also a member of the Lyric Club, the Preble County Swingers and Preble County Gospel Sounds entertainment groups.  She served in the Delta Theta Tau Sorority, Theta Mu Chapter.  She loved horses and ponies and showed them through 4-H at the Preble County Fair.  Carol was most proud of her daughters, son-in-laws and her precious grandchildren: Owen Baumann, Olivia Baumann, Becca Mowen and Allison Mowen.  She attended and cheered her grandchildren on at all of their athletic activities (soccer, cross country, volleyball, basketball, baseball and softball).  Along with her husband, children and grandchildren, Carol is survived by her sister Marjorie Clark Coning, nephews Chris Coning (Angi) and Mike Coning (Christine), great nieces and nephews and numerous cousins.  Family and friends will be received on Thursday, April 8, 2021 from 4:00 pm until time of memorial service at 6:00 pm at the Girton Schmidt & Boucher Gard Funeral Home, Eaton, OH with Pastor Rodney Dunn officiating.  In lieu of flowers, you may make memorial contributions to the New Hope United Methodist Church (C/O Becky Smith) 3330 Upshur Northern Road, Eaton, Ohio 45320 or the National Trail School Foundation, 6940 Oxford Gettysburg Road, New Paris, Ohio 45347.  Due to COVID masks will be required to safe guard all people involved.  Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.gsbfuneralhome.com.