Sandra Keirns
NEWARK — A funeral service for a wonderful mother, grandmother and friend, Sandra Jane “Sonnie” Keirns, 73, of Newark will be Saturday, May 3, at 10 a.m. on at the Newark Chapel of Henderson-Van Atta Funeral & Cremation Service with Pastor Bruce Hissong officiating. Burial will follow in Brushy Fork Cemetery.
Mrs. Keirns passed away peacefully on April 30, 2008, at the Selma Markowitz Care Center (operated by Hospice of Central Ohio), surrounded by her daughters and granddaughters. She was born April 11, 1935, in Newark to the late Hallie Hayes Sr. and the late Amanda (Williams) Hayes. Mrs. Keirns attended Homer school until 1946 and then started at Hartford in Croton that same year. She graduated in 1953. In school she was a cheerleader for six years, was a member of the band and was in drama club and Future Homemakers of America.
She was employed at Continental Can for 32 years before retiring in 1997. She was also employed at the Licking County Aging Program for three years delivering Meals on Wheels, before developing Stage 4 ovarian cancer. She was a member of the Northside Church of Christ, Moose Lodge and the Heath Eagles. She was a true and faithful mother and was a friend to all who knew her. She was an avid animal lover and rescued many.
She is survived by three daughters, Jevon (Rob) Osborn of Newark, Robin Gooch of Westerville and Darla (Eric) Snyder of Mount Vernon; two sons, John Jr. (Dee) Gooch of Galena and Eric (Kerry) Gooch of Texas; five grandchildren, Robin Osborn, Mallory Gooch, Amanda Osborn and her fiance, Josiah Stephens, Allen (Heather) Bell and Matt (Lori) Gooch; five stepgrandchildren; three great-grandchildren, Riley and Madison Gooch and Nova Randall Osborn; two great-grandbabies who are due this fall; and one stepgreat-grandson. Her granddaughters and great-grandson, Nova, called her Yea. She is also survived by a brother, Herrold (Virginia) Hayes of Columbus; sisters, Patty (Don) Robey of Utica and Norma Flint of Washington. She is survived by the breakfast club and her life-long friend/sister, Gloria (Snyder) Larimore; her ex-husband, Gene Keirns; many cousins, nieces and nephews; special pets, Tracy, Moo-Moo, Ruger, Blackjack, Tigra, Ci-Ci and Be-Be; and many, many friends.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved son, Randy Gooch; and by two brothers.
Friends may call today from 2 to 4 and 6 and 8 p.m. at the funeral home, 59 N. Fifth St. Memorial contributions may be made to Homeward Bound Humane Society, 548 Dog Leg Road, Heath, OH 43056.