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Therese "Tara" Ann Marie Gemperline

June 24, 1954 ~ April 26, 2023 (age 68) 68 Years Old
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Obituary

Therese “Tara” Ann Marie Gemperline, 68, of Portsmouth, died Wednesday, April 26, 2023, at SOMC.  She was born June 24, 1954, in Portsmouth, to the late Albert and Mary (Chandler) Gemperline. Tara was a florist for many years, until she became a radio personality and Programming Director for 104.1 WPAY in Portsmouth. Her start in radio came as a dispatcher for the Minford Volunteer Fire Department, Inc., where she subsequently became the first woman to join the Department.  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Howard Gemperline, her former husband, John Kester, and her long-time companion, Douglas Braden.

She is survived by her two children, Jason Kester (Heather) of Grove City, Jessica Kester of Portsmouth, a brother, “A.J.” Gemperline (Betsy) of Massachusetts, two sisters, Mary Margaret “Peggy” Slocum (Richard) of Florida and Barbara Graybill (Rev. Robert) of Pennsylvania. She is also survived by her three grandchildren, Ethan Copas, Joseph Kester, and Hadley Kester, as well as many cousins, nieces, and nephews. 

Funeral Services will be 6:00 PM Monday, May 1, 2023, at Melcher Hammer Funeral Home in Portsmouth. A visitation for friends and family will be on Monday, beginning at 4:00 PM until the hour of service.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Tara to Sierra’s Haven for New and Used Pets.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Therese "Tara" Ann Marie Gemperline, please visit our floral store.


Services

Visitation
Monday
May 1, 2023

4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Melcher Hammer Funeral Home
1417 Offnere Street
Portsmouth, OH 45662

Funeral Service
Monday
May 1, 2023

6:00 PM
Melcher Hammer Funeral Home
1417 Offnere Street
Portsmouth, OH 45662

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In Loving Memory Of

Therese "Tara" Gemperline

June 24, 1954-April 26, 2023




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Online Memory & Photo Sharing Event
Ongoing
Online Event

profile

In Loving Memory Of

Therese "Tara" Gemperline

June 24, 1954-April 26, 2023




Look inside to read what others have shared


Family and friends are coming together online to create a special keepsake. Every memory left on the online obituary will be automatically included in the book.   


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