Gerald W. Kern, age 91, of Helena, Ohio passed away peacefully on Monday (August 18, 2014) at the Elmwood
Assisted Living at the Springs in Green Springs, Ohio.
He was born on June 16, 1923 in Woodville, Ohio to the late Marion and Chloe (Swartz) Kern. Gerald
married Wilberta May Swin on June 26, 1942 in Napoleon, Ohio.
Surviving Gerald are his loving wife of 72 years, Wilberta; sons, James D. (Linda) Kern of Bradner, Ohio,
John M. (Linda) Kern of Helena, Ohio, Jack A. (Nancy) Kern of Helena, Ohio, Mark R. (Susan) Kern of
South Carolina; daughter, Theresa (Kenneth) Souvenier of Gibsonburg, Ohio; daughters-in-law, Cindy
McClain of Loudonville, Ohio, Nancy Kern of Bowling Green, Ohio; brother, Albert Kern of Perry, Florida;
sisters, Lillie Sterling of Gibsonburg, Ohio, Joyce Hunt of Gibsonburg, Ohio, Madge McIntyre of
Tennessee, Jean Barenbrugge of Millbury, Ohio; 17 grandchildren and many great- and
great-great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Marion and Chloe; brothers Francis, Raymond, Lloyd, Edward;
sisters, Iona Hathaway, Ruth Aldrich, Vera Kern, Luella Hammer; sons, Thomas L. , Timothy J., and Gerald
E. Kern; grandchild, Nathan Daniel Kern.
Gerald served his country proudly in the Army Air Force during WWII, and then worked and retired from the
Iron Workers Local 55 out of Toledo. He worked there for 72 years, and was the oldest living retired
worker.
Gerald was a life member of the Gibsonburg American Legion, former member of the Bradner American Legion,
former member of the Weston American Legion, and a former member of the Fostoria VFW.
Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday (August 20, 2014) at Barndt Funeral
Home in Wayne, Ohio, where a Celebration of Life Service will be held on Thursday (August 21, 2014) at
11 a.m. with Pastor Tom Goossens officiating.
Burial will be in Bradner Cemetery.
Immediately following the services, there will be a bereavement luncheon at the Albert Bowe American
Legion in Bradner, Ohio.
Memorial contributions may be made to Heartland Hospice.
Online condolences may be sent to Gerald’s family at www.barndtfuneralhome.org.