Robert Earl Kern, 89, of Paw Paw, passed away Friday, June 2, 2017 at his residence. Bob was born September 27, 1927 in Sublette Angear Hospital to Alfred and Clara (Bauer) Kern. He graduated from Paw Paw High School in 1945. On June 8, 1946, Bob married his high school sweetheart, Gayle Willard.
Bob grew up in the Cottage Hill vicinity, going to the country school. In 1947, he and Gayle moved to the Willard farm and raised their children, Ron and Diane. Besides farming, Bob operated Harley Rosenkrans’ feed grinder and worked at J.B. Inderidian (later Del Monte,) Del Monte, Asplundh Tree Service, Mayrath, Wurlitzer Piano, and Marathon Electric. He also owned and operated a corn shelling business and even found time to drive a bus for School District 271. His favorite getaway was fishing in Canada with his brother, Ivan, which they did for many years. Summers were spent “at the lake” in Lake Mills, Wisconsin. He was a member of the Paw Paw United Methodist Church, the Mendota Elks Club and Mendota Moose Lodge.
Bob leaves behind to mourn, his wife, Gayle; children, Ron (Shelby) Kern of Paw Paw and Diane Schumacher of Tulsa, OK; grandchildren Marc (Luz) Terranova of Chicago, Shane (Nikki) Kern of Glen Ellyn, Christian (Stephanie) Kern of Paw Paw, Zachary (Jennifer) Kern of Paw Paw, Christopher (Betsy) Kaiser of Broken Arrow, OK and Robbie (Tiffany) Kaiser of Tulsa, OK; and great-grandchildren Kennedy, Avery, Brooklyn, Samuel, Myles, Drew, Gage, Matt, Cooper, Kayden, Cameron, and Avery.
In addition to his parents, Bob is preceded in death by his brother, Ivan Kern, and his sister, Doris Schlesinger.
A funeral service will be at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, June 10, 2017 at the Paw Paw United Methodist Church, 370 Wiley Ave., in Paw Paw with Pastor Dave Holden officiating. A visitation will be from 9:00 A.M. until the time of the service at the church. Interment will follow the service in Wyoming Township Cemetery in Paw Paw.
Contributions in Bob’s memory will be directed to a charity of the family’s choosing.
Always friendly, always happy-a very nice man. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Sending our sympathy to Gaile and her family. He will be missed by many. May he RIP
So sorry for your loss. I’m at a loss for words. Still think of him as Uncle Bob. Sweet man.
My parents and I knew Robert’s parents and enjoyed many visits. i never met Robert. Our parents talked about a possible shared genealogy but never found one. My parents were Arlie and Ezra Kern who lived in Earlville at the time. My Dad was a WW II POW in Germany. We left Earlville in 1949. for a farm in Indiana. Death is never easy so i have prayed for you. Carrie Kern Walker
What a wonderful man, may he Rest In Peace, love & hugs to you Gayle & family
He was a great man, my sincere condolences to all!
So sorry for your loss, Bob always had a smile and fun things to say, sending prayers for comfort for Gayle and all of his family and friends, God Bless you all
What a beautiful life, and Grandpa Kern accomplished so much! So sorry for the love of his life….Grandma Kern, and to the entire Kern family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
My sympathy to all of the family
Sorry for your loss, God bless you and your family..
Thoughts and prayers go out to the Kern family. Bobs smile and laugh always made me smile.
You will be forever missed Papa Bob! We send our heartfelt love and prayers to Gayle and the family.
My thoughts and prayers are with the family. So sorry for your loss.