Mr. Joseph C. Kern, age 91, of Anna, IL, formerly of Metropolis, IL, died on Wednesday, January 31, 2018 at Memorial Hospital of Carbondale. Mr. Kern was born in Hamilton CO, IL, near Macedonia on July 2, 1926 to Owen and Ruby (Smithpeters) Kern. Joseph was a graduate of Zeigler High School class of 1944 and served in the US Navy from 1944 to 1946 in both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters on the Destroyers USS Ludlow (DD 438) and the USS Ordronaux (DD 617). In 1946, Joseph married Lois Evelyn Carpenter and they remained married until her death in 2009. He graduated from SIU with a Bachelor's in Chemistry and taught school in Zeigler, IL and worked for Sangamo Electric before joining Allied Chemical in 1958. Mr. Kern worked the rest of his career for Allied/Honeywell in both Metropolis, IL and Morristown, NJ. Joseph was an active runner and cyclist who completed several marathons and on his 80th birthday, rode his bicycle 80 miles. He was an avid SIU Salukis fan who regularly attended home football and basketball games. Mr. Kern accepted Jesus Christ as his savior, attended the First Baptist Church of Anna and was affectionately called "Superman" by many. He was remarried to Lora (Grammer) Blackwell on March 3, 2012. Joseph is survived by his wife, Lora Blackwell-Kern of Anna; his son, Robert Kern (Marlene) of Troy, NC; his daughter, Beverly Turner (Greg) of Metropolis; brother, Willard Kern of Zeigler, IL; four grandchildren, Michelle Hines (Norman) of Greensboro, NC, Michael Kern of Troy, NC, Matthew Turner (Josha) of Brookport, Madisson Turner of Elizabethtown, KY; three great grandchildren, Tam Hines, Tristan Turner, and McKylah Turner; three stepchildren, Gary E. Blackwell (Linda) of Ocean Springs, MS, Karen L. Engell (Robert) of Longmeadow, MA, and Gayle A. Stearns of Carbondale, IL; nine step-grandchildren, Amanda Stauter (Lee), Bronwyn Swartz (Jason), Megan Farnes (Bill), Garreth Blackwell (Callie), Matthew Stearns, Angelique Stearns, Rebecca Engell Kasper (Scott), David Engell, and Sarah Engell; several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Lois; brothers, Ted, Bob and Owen Jr. Kern; sisters, Patty Sue Gilmore and Ruby Kay Loos. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 3, 2018 at 11am at the First Baptist Church of Anna. Graveside services will be held on Sunday, February 4, 2018 at 2pm at the Metropolis Memorial Gardens with Rev. Les Sinks officiating. Memorial contributions for macular degeneration may be given to the Brighthouse Foundation 22512 Gateway Center Drive Clarksburg, MD 20871. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Aikins-Farmer-Loftus-McManus Funeral Home.

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