Jane Louise Kershner

Jane Louise Kershner, affectionately known as "Doodles," passed away peacefully on May 16, 2026, at Geisinger St. Luke's Hospital at Orwigsburg, surrounded by her loving family. Born on February 15, 1932, in West Hamburg, Tilden Township, Jane lived a remarkable life marked by dedication, resilience, and a passion for community and history.

A 1950 graduate of Hamburg High School and a 1976 alumna of Penn State Berks, Jane embarked on a diverse and impactful career. Early on, she served as Assistant Manager to Mr. Owen at the Price Battery Corporation in Hamburg from 1950 to 1958, helping to run three battery factories. In 1976 Jane embraced the real estate profession, becoming a licensed broker in 1982 and working for Strout Realty with Doug Potts in Port Clinton for 14 years, 1976 to 1990. She worked at various other real estate companies well into the 2000's. She continued her commitment to real estate taking classes at Polley Associates until the age of 88 in 2020, marking over 40 years of service in the industry. In addition to her professional pursuits, Jane played a vital role alongside her husband, George C. Kershner, helping with the Faust and Kershner Auction business during the 1980s and running Old Moon Farm.

Jane's dedication extended beyond her career. During World War II, she supported local farmers by assisting with crop harvests while the men were deployed, exemplifying her strong sense of community and service. She helped to take care of her grandfather Elias and would walk up Tilden Road to his farm as a young woman, barefoot, to fetch a white horse named Harry whom she was fond of so he could be used by her father, William, to do farm work on the home farm. This is a happy memory she would talk about frequently from the days of dirt roads and farming. 

She was an active member of several organizations including the Hamburg Area Historical Society, Leesport Loch House Foundation Society, Heidelberg Heritage Society, Smithsonian Institute Society, and the WWII Museum and the USO. Her passions included caring for her pet cats, donkeys, and pigeons and farm animals, writing history books and songs, crocheting, visiting Ocean City New Jersey and Hershey Park, and cherishing time spent with her family and brother's family and grandchildren, and writing poems and music for The Mohnflowers, and playing piano. She helped edit the book Uncle George's Poems, written by her husband.

Among her proudest accomplishments was her work as a columnist, contributing to the Northern Berks Patriot Item at the ages of 93 and 94, sharing her insights and love for local history with her community.

Jane was preceded in death by her beloved husband, local poet George C. Kershner, who passed away on November 12, 2012; her parents, William Elroy and Edna Blatt (Phillips) Mohn; her daughter, Ruth Ann Ramos; and her brother, Harold W. Mohn and sister-in-law Mildred Mohn.

She is survived by her son, Adam Joseph Kershner; grandchildren Abram Elias Ramos of Oregon, companion of Amanda Alverez, Gabriela Ruth Ramos, and Leanna Elizabeth Eisenhart, wife of Andrei; as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.

A visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, from 10:00 am - 11:00 am with a funeral service beginning at 11:00 am in Salem Belleman's Church, 3540 Bellemans Church Road, Mohrsville. 

Burial will take place in Fairview (Bellemans) Cemetery. 

Jane Louise Kershner’s life was a testament to dedication, love, and community spirit. Her legacy will continue to inspire those who knew her and the generations to come. She will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by all who were fortunate to share in her journey.