Rev. John F. Kern

Rev. John F. Kerr, 63, of Cypress, was called home to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday, August 23, 1998 at 6:30am at his residence following an extended illness.

He was born on June 14, 1935 to Eldon and Alma Lorene (RICHARDSON) Kern in Benton.

Rev. Kern was united in marriage to Lydia M. (WELLS) on September 22, 1957 at the freewill Baptist Church in Ina, whom he has been devoted to for almost 41 years.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by four sons and one daughter; Kyle and Cynthia Kern of Dongola, Randy and Teresa Kern of America, Terry and Ivy Kern of Olmsted, Jeff Kern of Cypress and Debbie and Tracey Meyer of Vienna. other survivors include his father; Eldon Kern of Perks; one sister and brother-in-law; Mary Belle and Richard Sweetin of Flora; one brother and sister-in-law, Ivan and Shirley Kern of Moultie, Ga., and one half brother, Danny Winemiller, Michigan; eight grandchildren, Will, Tiffany, Brian, Erica and Brittany Kern, Melissa LaGore, Ashley and Dylan Meyer; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends and colleagues in the pastoral, educational and equestrian fields.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Alma Lorene (RICHARDSON) Kern on August 26, 1965.

Rev. Kern accepted the Lord Jesus Christ at age 21 and surrendered to preach the gospel on May 1, 1960 where he was ordained at the Ina Missionary Baptist Church. Rev. Kern served many churches throughout his 38 years.

Rev. Kern obtained his bachelors and masters degrees in science and education from Southern Illinois University and subsequently taught and became principal at the Jonesboro Public School for a period of over 30 years. Rev. Kern also taught evening classes at the Shawnee Community College in Ullin.

Rev. Kern was a member and interim pastor of the First Baptist Church in Mounds, President of the Retired Teacher's Association, and was a avid equestrian, he was President of the Illinois American Buckskin Horse Association and various other organizations. Past association included being a member of their Union County Hospital Board and served on several committees for the Clear Creek Baptist Association.

Visitation for Rev. John F. Kern was held Tuesday, August 25, from 6 - 9pm at the Wilson Funeral Home in Karnak. Funeral services were held on Wednesday, August 26, at 1pm at the First Baptist Church in Mounds with interment being in the Cypress Masonic Cemetery in Cypress.

Rev. Kern requested that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to the St. Jude's Children's Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. to assist in the study of cancer research.