Live life to its fullest

Living each day to its fullest is something I’ve been reminded to do often in the last few weeks, to make changes in my life and work on doing the things on my bucket list. My delaying things I want to do until later slapped me in the face this week.

I lost a friend who had given much of his life to serving others, but fortunately had done things on his bucket list. Warren Neil Kerber died after in a four-wheeler accident Sunday. He was doing something he had done numerous times. Warren and his wife Dr. Jayne Niskey enjoyed working together on projects around their home just as he was doing the day he died. They enjoyed their home, their animals and their hobbies. Warren loved to compete at gun events and Dr. Jayne accompanied him. They would dress in matching periods costumes for the events and they had a knack for turning work projects into adventures. When one of them traveled for business, they combined work with pleasure.

Warren’s passing will leave a hole in Dr. Jayne’s life and heart, but she’ll never have regrets about not spending time with the love of her life doing the things they loved like exploring Alaska.

Warren grew up on a family owned vineyard in California, and served his country during the Vietnam War as a captain with the U.S. Army Medical Services Corps in Korea. After the war, he spent 35 years in hospital administration across the county. When his career brought he and Dr. Jayne to Southeast Missouri, they stopped moving and settled in the Ozarks. They became a part of the community and supported a variety of activities.

Warren was a lifetime member of the Poplar Bluff VFW Post 6477 and a member of the Poplar Bluff American Legion Post 153. Until recently he was a member of the Honor Guard at veterans’ funerals. He and Dr. Jayne planned the VFW picnic for years making certain there were activities and prizes for everyone especially the veterans’ children.

Warren, who lived his life with purpose while enjoying the things on his bucket list, had shared with Dr. Jayne he wanted a simple graveside service at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield.

One thing I’ve learned from Warren is live life to its fullest daily, because it may be the last day to check something off your bucket list.