Kathryn Earnhart

Kathryn Shaker Earnhart, 64, died on Wednesday, October 21, 2015, at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She was born to the late Honorable Mitchell F. Shaker and Mary Christopher Shaker on February 8, 1951 at St. Joseph Riverside Hospital, Warren. She married her husband of 44 years, James, on June 12, 1971, in Cortland. Kathryn attended St. Stephen Elementary School in Niles, and was a 1969 graduate of John F. Kennedy High School in Warren. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Art Education from Youngstown State University in 1973. She also earned masters credits at Kent State University and the University of St. Francis, Fort Wayne, Indiana, as well as professional credits at Christie's and Sotheby's auction houses in New York City. Kathryn taught art at Crestview High School in Van Wert, Ohio, Lakeview Local Schools in Cortland, St. Joseph School, Sharon, where she was a parish member, and Kennedy Catholic High School, Hermitage. She was a member of the Valley Arts Guild, Sharon, Trumbull Art Gallery, Warren, and several other arts organizations. For the past 27 years, Kathryn has been the Public Relations Director at the Butler Institute of American Art. She worked with printers, artists, scholars, and the museum's director, Dr. Louis Zona, to create publications such as newsletters, exhibition announcements, catalogs, invitations, brochures, and gallery guides. She promoted the good works of the Butler through national and local media outlets alike. She also facilitated the appearance of numerous celebrity artists at the Butler throughout her career, including Tony Bennett, Kim Novak, Tony Curtis, Peter Falk, Linda McCartney, and John Mellencamp, among others. Kathryn also served as an adjunct art instructor at Youngstown State University. Kathryn will be greatly missed by her husband, James Earnhart, of Hartford, their son, the Honorable Jason C. Earnhart (Patti), of Dublin, Ohio, and their daughter, Emily Earnhart, of Hartford. She also leaves her brothers, Thomas of Rome, Italy, Christopher (Bonnie), of Niles, Robert (Angee) of Solon, Ohio, and sisters Mary Alice, of Richmond, Virginia, Sarah, of San Francisco, California, and Peggy (Holmes) of Afton, Virginia. She also leaves 9 beautiful nieces, 11 nephews, and a wonderful extended family that will miss her greatly. She was preceded in death by her sister, Patricia, of West Palm Beach, Florida. According to Kathryn's wishes, there will be no public service or burial. A celebration of her life will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions would be appreciated in Kathryn's name to her family's favorite charity, St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105-3678, or online at https://shop.stujde.org/GiftCatalog/shop.do?cID=14367. Online condolences may be made to the family and the obituary viewed at www.madaszchapel.com