Obituaries - 2010

Gale M. Kern

Mr. Gale M. Kern, 86, of rural LaHarpe, Illinois passed away Saturday, May 1, 2010 at 4:07 P.M. at the Heartland Health Care Center in Macomb, Illinois.

He was born November 30, 1923 in LaHarpe, the son of Adam Willard and Olive Negley Kern. On December 31, 1958 he married Dorothy Morrow in LaHarpe. She preceded him in death on September 29, 1996. He then married Helen Carol Culp on February 20, 2003 in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.

Mr. Kern farmed and raised Polled Herefords near LaHarpe. He was a member of the LaHarpe Christian Church and the LaHarpe Senior Citizens. He enjoyed playing pool, cards, golf and watching old “Western” movies. During his lifetime he inherited two families in addition to having his own.

He is survived by his wife, Carol, five children, Timothy (Mary) Morrow of Aurora, Illinois, Paula (Chuck) Weaver of Eldridge, Iowa, Jill (Jeff Kurtz) Fugate of Burlington, Iowa, Jennifer (John) Jenkins of Irvine, California and Carolyn Kern of Saipan, three step-children, Nanette (Carl) Lawrence of LaHarpe, Benita (Phillip) Pledger of Clanton, Alabama and Harry Woodrow (Stephanie) Culp of Knoxville, Tennessee, 14 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, his twin brother, Glen Kern of Clarksville, Arkansas and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, 1 son Roger Lowell Kern, a grandson, William Christopher Jenkins, 4 brothers and 4 sisters.

Services will be held at 10:30 A.M. Friday, May 7, 2010 at the LaHarpe Christian Church with Darren Beachy officiating. Burial will be in the LaHarpe Cemetery. Friends may call after 3:00 P.M. Thursday at Banks & Beals Funeral Home in LaHarpe where the family will meet with friends from 6:00 until 8:00 P.M. Thursday. A memorial fund has been established for the LaHarpe Christian Church. Send a condolence here.