Phillip L. Kern
Phillip L. Kern, 49, of Xenia, passed away at 5:45 a.m. Wednesday, June 21, 2006, at Green Memorial Hospital, Xenia, from complications sustained in a car accident in July 2004.
He was born at the Mitchell Air Force Base, N.Y., on Sept. 26, 1956, a son of the late Clayton Elwood and Patricia Anne Gordon Kern.
Survivors include a brother, Clayton (Terri) Kern of Edgewater, Fla.; stepmother, Sonia Kern of Ocala, Fla.; three daughters, Heather Kern of Quincy, Nicole (Chris) Keller of Bellefontaine and Andrea Kern of DeGraff; three grandchildren, Gabrielle Kern, Tyler Davis and Lilly Keller; and lifelong friends, Jeff and Pam Kurtz of Centerville.
Residing the latter part of his life in DeGraff, he was a man of all trades. He served two tours of duty in Germany straight out of the OSSO Home of Xenia. He was a missile technician and M-16 rifle expert.
He cofounded Riverside Publications Inc., which began in his home. This later resulted in a local newspaper, The Muddy River Review, and the classifieds paper, West Central Ohio Advertiser.
He was an avid hiker, bicyclist, swimmer, camper, cross country skier, handyman and fisherman. He loved to play and listen to all types of music. He was truly a lover of nature, culture and life.
A memorial service begins at 7 p.m. Friday at Rexer-Riggin-Madden Funeral Home, DeGraff, where calling is one hour prior. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Citizens Bank of DeGraff to help defray funeral expenses.
