October 30, 2015
Ellisville, Missouri
Donald Kemner died on Friday, October 30, 2015. The wake was at Schrader Funeral Home in Ballwin, Missouri. The Mass of Resurrection was celebrated at St. Clare of Assisi Church in Ellisville, Missouri. Don, a former Franciscan, and his wife Margaret were among the first members of the married priests group, Reaching Out of St. Louis. He was an avid reader and a deep thinker. The ideas he shared with anyone who would listen were far ahead of the times and challenged us to stretch our minds. He and Margaret raised four adopted children. He often went out of his way to help his friends and clients, especially by using his trailer to move belongings into new residences. He served the church as priest, prophet, husband, and parent. Even during his illness, while he was not able to speak, he listened to National Public Radio and was able to communicate lively with his hands and gestures, maintaining his customary enthusiasm for life.