Joseph C. Kern

Joseph C. Kern, 91, of Anna, and formerly of Metropolis, died Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2018, at Memorial Hospital of Carbondale.

Mr. Kern was born in Hamilton County, near Macedonia, on July 2, 1926, the son of Owen and Ruby Smithpeters Kern.

He was a graduate in the Zeigler High School class of 1944. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1944 to 1946 in both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters on the destroyers USS Ludlow (DD 438) and the USS Ordronaux (DD 617).

In 1946, he married Lois Evelyn Carpenter and they remained married until her death in 2009.

He graduated from Southern Illinois University with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and taught school in Zeigler and worked for Sangamo Electric before joining Allied Chemical in 1958. Mr. Kern worked the rest of his career for Allied/Honeywell in both Metropolis and Morristown, N.J.

He was an active runner and cyclist who completed several marathons and on his 80th birthday rode his bicycle 80 miles. He was an avid SIU Salukis fan who regularly attended home football and basketball games. Mr. Kern accepted Jesus Christ as his savior, attended the First Baptist Church of Anna and was affectionately called “Superman” by many.

He was remarried to Lora (Grammer) Blackwell on March 3, 2012.

He is survived by his wife, Lora Blackwell-Kern of Anna; his son, Robert Kern (Marlene) of Troy, N.C.; his daughter, Beverly Turner (Greg) of Metropolis; a brother, Willard Kern of Zeigler; four grandchildren, Michelle Hines (Norman) of Greensboro, N.C., Michael Kern of Troy, N.C., Matthew Turner (Josha) of Brookport, and Madisson Turner of Elizabethtown, Ky.; three great-grandchildren, Tam Hines, Tristan Turner and McKylah Turner; three stepchildren, Gary E. Blackwell (Linda) of Ocean Springs, Miss., Karen L. Engell (Robert) of Longmeadow, Mass., and Gayle A. Stearns of Carbondale; nine step-grandchildren, Amanda Stauter (Lee), Bronwyn Swartz (Jason), Megan Farnes (Bill), Garreth Blackwell (Callie), Matthew Stearns, Angelique Stearns, Rebecca Engell Kasper (Scott), David Engell and Sarah Engell; several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Lois; brothers Ted, Bob and Owen Jr. Kern; and sisters Patty Sue Gilmore and Ruby Kay Loos.

A memorial service was held on Saturday, Feb. 3, at 11 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Anna. Graveside services were Sunday, Feb. 4, at 2 p.m. at the Metropolis Memorial Gardens, with the Rev. Les Sinks officiating.

Memorials for macular degeneration can be given to the Brighthouse Foundation, 22512 Gateway Center Dr., Clarksburg, Md. 20871.

Aikins-Farmer-Loftus-McManus Funeral Home in Metropolis was in charge of arrangements.

The Gazette-Democrat

112 Lafayette St.
Anna, Illinois 62906
Office Number: (618) 833-2158
Email: news@annanews.com

Sign Up For Breaking News

Stay informed on our latest news!

CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.
3 + 9 =
Solve this simple math problem and enter the result. E.g. for 1+3, enter 4.
Comment Here