Obituary of Dr. Ruth Whiteley Kershner

Dr. Ruth Whiteley Kershner, 64, of Morgantown passed away suddenly on July 10, 2014 at Ruby Memorial Hospital of a brain hemorrhage. She was born in Lexington, KY to John ”Jack” and Gloria Beltis Whiteley on November 30, 1949. Ruth grew up in Hagerstown, MD, where she graduated from North Hagerstown High School in 1967. Dr. Kershner spent her career in service to others, beginning as a home health nurse in Roane County, WV, and culminating with 24 years at West Virginia University as an esteemed member of the School of Public Health. She was the recipient of numerous awards for excellence in teaching and advocacy. Ruth’s greatest satisfaction as a professor was mentoring and guiding her students to be the best they could be. Ruth was preceded in death by her mother and younger sister, Patricia Whiteley. In addition to her father, she is survived by her son Donovan Kershner and significant other Amanda Osborne of Morgantown and granddaughters Hali, Montana, Taylor, and Anna Ruth; son Justin Kershner and wife Annie of Columbia, S.C. and grandchildren Katie, Vinnie, Allie, and Logan; son Cody Kershner and wife Melissa of Ronkonkoma, N.Y. and grandchildren Kyleigh, Tanner, and Miles ; step-daughter Suzette Taylor and granddaughters Sage and Madelyn of Thurmont, M.D; her sister Laurie Whiteley Haugh and sons Daniel, Jeffery, and Christopher of Salisbury, M.D.; sister Carrie Whiteley Lama of Easton, MD, and daughter Emily Lama of Morgantown, W.V.; and father of her children, friend and husband of 32 years Jeffrey “Corky” Kershner of Morgantown, WV. In honoring Ruth’s wishes, she will be cremated. Friends are welcome to join the family for a memorial gathering celebrating the life of Dr. Kershner at Hastings Funeral Home, 153 Spruce St., Morgantown on Thursday, July 17th from 3 PM until the time of the memorial service at 6 PM. In lieu of flowers, honor Ruth’s memory with a donation to the Rape and Domestic Violence Information Center PO Box 4228, Morgantown, WV 26504 or the Caritas House 391 Scott Ave, Morgantown, WV 26508. Ruth lived her life in service to others and her final lasting gift was the gift of life through organ and tissue donation. Send condolences online @ www.hastingsfuneralhome.com