As a village trustee in Union during the late 1980s and early ’90s, Kenneth B. Kerns was instrumental in getting the city park dedicated to veterans. Mr. Kerns, 80, a World War II veteran, died of heart failure Thursday, April 14, in his Marengo home. Born in Peoria, he was raised in Woodstock and attended Woodstock High School. Pearl Harbor was bombed during his senior year, and Mr. Kerns immediately enlisted in the Navy and served four years in the South Pacific. He spent another 12 years in the Navy Reserves. Mr. Kerns was a journeyman printer for many newspapers before he opened his own printing company, Kerns Kustom Printing in Woodstock. He retired and sold his business in 1977. His wife, Cora Paxson, whom he married in 1946, died in 1975. A year later, he married Arlene Nelson Ehle, his best friend’s widow. During his lifetime, he owned more than 100 cars, which he purchased, restored and sold, or entered in car shows. He was a commander and life member of Woodstock Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5040 and a former chaplain of Woodstock Elks Lodge 1043. He moved to Marengo 10 years ago. Survivors include his wife, Arlene; daughter, Pamela Munger; two stepdaughters, Susan Harmon and Laura Barrett; two sisters, Marilyn Phalin and Janis Schwebke; three grandchildren; and three great grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday at First Congregational Church, 461 Pierson St., Crystal Lake.
