Doris Opfer Kerchner, 85, of Augusta, Kan., formerly of Elizabeth, passed away on Friday, Jan. 6, 2023, surrounded by her family. She was a medication aide for the elderly in nursing facilities in Kansas. A member of Bethesda United Presbyterian Church in Elizabeth, she was a member of the Old Timers Fiddlers’ Association and a life member of the Kastan Uveges VFW Post 7632 in Elizabeth. She enjoyed doing puzzles and crossword puzzles, fishing and camping, and most of all being around her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Born June 6, 1937, in Elizabeth, she was a daughter of the late George and Sarah Harrison Opfer and wife of the late John W.E. Kerchner Sr. She is survived by daughters, Vannessa (Don) Lehmkuhl of Simi Valley, Calif., Nelda (Raymond) Darwin of Augusta, Kan., and Sarah Moreno of Herington, Kan.; 16 grandchildren; 23 great- grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; brother, Ralph (Janice) Opfer of Riverview, Mich.; close family friend, Wesley Batch of North Carolina; along with nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by sons, John W.E. Kerchner Jr. and George Scott Kerchner; and siblings, Theodore Opfer, John Opfer, Howard Opfer, Harry Opfer and Luella “Sis” Opfer. Friends will be received at PAUL E. BEKAVAC FUNERAL HOME, 221 North Second Ave., Elizabeth, from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023. A funeral service will take place at 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 20, 2023, in the funeral home chapel with the Rev. Walter Pietschman officiating. Burial will follow in Round Hill Cemetery, Elizabeth Township. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, the Kastan Uveges Post 7632 Ladies Auxiliary, 502 Oxford Ave., Elizabeth, PA 15037 or Bethesda United Presbyterian Church, 314 S. Third Ave., Elizabeth, PA 15037. Offer condolences at www.bekavacfuneralhome.com.
