Maria J. Kerkel

Maria Johanna Kerkel (nee: Sofranac) was born on July 5th, 1947, to Margarete (Grete) Elizabeth Sofranac (nee: Barschdorf) and Krsto Filipov Sofranac in Ingolstadt, Germany. During the tumult of post-WWII Europe, Maria made her way from Germany to Montenegro to a Displaced Persons camp in Salzburg, Austria run by the American Army to the Broadway and 55th area of Cleveland, Ohio when she was 9 years old. Having already spoken German and Serbian, she quickly learned English with the help of TV shows like wrestling and Gunsmoke. Still only a child, she became the primary translator, teacher and advisor for her parents.

Maria attended Tod Elementary (across the street from Meyer Dairy’s Dairyland), Myron T. Herrick (behind St. Alexis Hospital), and Cleveland South High (home of the 1965 and 1966 West Senate football champs) schools.

Throughout her life, Maria lived generously. She cared for and shared with others with her whole heart, whether it was the delicious food she made, welcoming shelter, or genuine emotional support.

Maria was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Michael Kerkel, as well as her father and mother. She is survived by her three sons, Michael (Shari), Joseph, and David; her brother Rodo, (Susan); her granddaughters Rhiannon and Rosie; her Goddaughters Anastasia and Madeline, and their brothers, Nicholas and Christopher.

Private services were held.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tn 38105 or online at donors@stjude.org