Submitted by: Dan Rich
Charles Lee Kern
SOUTH BEND - Mr. Charles Lee Kern,
91, passed away peacefully at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 25, in St.
Paul's Retirement Community while holding the hands of both his
daughters. Mr. Kern was born June 30, 1915, in Mentone, Indiana,
to the late Ivan and Cleo “Dollie” (Meredith)
Kern. On March 30, 1943, in Marfa, Texas, while he was serving as
a lieutenant in the United States Air Force during World War II,
he married Marinell Langdon Kern. Marinell passed away October
23, 2005. They had been happily married for 64 years.
Mr. Kern was a dedicated role model devoted
to his family, which includes his two loving daughters, Nancy
(Carl) Frank of San Diego, CA, and Susan (Thomas) Creevey
of South Bend, IN; five grandchildren, Meghan Frank of San Diego,
CA, Eric Frank of Los Angeles, CA, Breeyan Creevey and Kern
Creevey of Chicago, IL, and Connor Creevey of South Bend, IN; and
one great-grandchild, Anthony Frank of San Diego, CA.
He was the starting point guard on the 1932
Beaver Dam High School basketball team, which was the smallest
school to ever play in the Indiana State Basketball Finals. For
this achievement his team is honored in the Indiana Basketball
Hall of Fame. He went on to receive a BA from Manchester College
and a master's of education from Indiana University-Bloomington.
He was a volunteer at St. Matthew Cathedral for many years.
Mr. Kern was a principal, teacher and coach
for over 40 years in the South Bend Community School Corporation,
where he had fond memories of his championship basketball teams
at the former Colfax Elementary School. Many of his players went
on to win state championships at Central High School and perform
at the collegiate level. He was thought of as a great role model
and mentor to his students and players. Mr. Kern also spent many
years serving as an active member and board chairman of Teachers
Credit Union.
A celebration of the Mass of Christian
Burial will be at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 31, in St. Matthew
Cathedral, 1701 S. Miami, South Bend, with Rev. Michael Heintz,
pastor, officiating. Burial will be at New Oak Cemetery,
Plymouth, IN. Friends may call on Tuesday from 3 to 6 p.m. in the
McGann Hay Funeral Home at 435 S. Ironwood at Jefferson where the
Rosary will be recited at 2:30 p.m. The family would prefer that
those wishing to make a memorial contribution in his honor direct
it towards St. Matthew Cathedral, 1701 Miami St., South Bend, IN
46613.