Joan T. Kerker

SOUTH BETHLEHEM– Joan Threadgill Kerker, 86, passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 27, 2017 at Good Samaritan Lutheran Health Care Center. Joan was born in Taylor, TX on December 22, 1930 and was the daughter of the late Augusta Zarfus and Carl Threadgill. She was a graduate of the University of Texas. While attending graduate school at Columbia University, she met and married Robert P. Kerker, who predeceased her in 2005. While raising three boys, she decided to get her Masters in Social Work from UAlbany in her mid 40's and went on to have a long career as the Social Director at the Baptist Retirement Center in Scotia, NY. Joan will long be remembered for her love of Texas, movies, and the arts. Her love of music and ability to sing and play piano lent itself to being the choir director at the South Bethlehem United Methodist Church for over 4 decades. She is survived by three sons, Robert (Pamela) Kerker of Rhinebeck, Thomas (Mariallane) Kerker of St. Louis, MO, and Charles (Kimberly) Kerker of Delmar; siblings, Dean Threadgill and Charlotte Howell of Texas; seven grandchildren; six great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Services will be held at South Bethlehem United Methodist Church on Wednesday, August 30th beginning with calling hours at 9:30 am followed by a funeral service at 11 am. Burial will follow in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, So. Bethlehem. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to South Bethlehem United Methodist Church, Willowbrook Ave., South Bethlehem, NY 12161.