Walt Kern

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Walter Ross Kern, age 86, died on Saturday, May 15, 2021 at Miller’s Merry Manor in Garrett.  Mr. Kern was born on August 3, 1934 in Fort Wayne, Indiana to the late Arthur and Ethel (Benjamin) Kern.  He graduated from Avilla High School in 1952.  His first wife, Ann Carroll Wright, preceded him in death on June 18, 1989 and he then married Shirley Helen Bledsoe on May 24, 1991 at their Kendallville home.  Walt was a member of Calvary United Methodist Church in Avilla.  He worked as a machinist at Reliable Tool for many years and then worked 30 years at Hymatic before retiring in 1999.  Walt had a love for the outdoors and enjoyed fishing and camping with family and friends over the years. He was also an avid IU Basketball fan.

Survivors include:
His wife, Shirley Helen Kern of Avilla.
Son, Mark and Pat Kern of Fairland.
Daughter, Cheryl and Eric Stadtfeld of Kendallville.
Stepdaughter, Shawn and Matt Pettit of Ashley.
Sister, Gloria “Jeanne” Zielinski of New Bern, North Carolina.
Grandchildren; Ryan Kern of Lawrence, Brittany Crabill of Greensburg, Bryson Stadtfeld of Kendallville, and two step-granddaughters, Jessica Roby of Butler and Jasmine Pettit of Ashely.
Six great grandchildren.
Walt was preceded in death by his parents, first wife Ann, brothers, Russell and Dean Kern and a sister, Arlene Hart.

Visitation will be held on Friday, May 21, 2021 from 11:00 – 1:00 PM at Hite Funeral Home in Kendallville.
Funeral services will be held on Friday following the visitation at 1:00 PM at the funeral home.
Memorial donations may be made to Parkview Noble Hospice.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Walt’s hospice nurses Lorie and Connie and caregiver Linda.
Arrangements entrusted to Hite Funeral Home.

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