Submitted by: Dan Rich

 

Charles Lee Kern

June 30, 1915 - Jan. 25, 2007

South Bend Tribune 1/29/2007

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.