William Kern

William "Bill" A. Kern, Sr., 82, of Tunkhannock passed away Wednesday, December 6, 2023 at Hospice of the Sacred Heart, Dunmore. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Agnes "Kay" (Miller) Kern.

Born on May 23, 1941 in Pittston, he is the son of the late Albert and Camilla (Dunning) Kern.

Bill was a 1959 graduate of West Pittston High School. He served in the United States Marine Corps from 1961 to 1965 where he held the rank of Corporal. This experience shaped and molded Bill's identity and he took great pride in being a Marine.

He dedicated several years as a machinist in Philadelphia. From 1979 to 2003, Bill worked as a proud member of the Boilermakers Local 13, building and maintaining power plants all across eastern and central PA. During this time, Bill carpooled with his buddies and made memories that they would laugh about for years to come.

Quiet, humble, hardworking and a genuinely curious man, Bill was fiercely loyal to and protective of his loved ones. He was a great storyteller and loved to regale his family with stories from growing up in Harding to his time in the Marines to describing complicated engineering maneuvers in nuclear reactors - usually with salt and pepper shakers and anything else available on the dinner table. From Okinawa to the Panama Canal to driving across the United States in a MG Midget, Bill traveled the world but was happiest at his home on the hill in Tunkhannock, looking out over his freshly cut lawn while reading his newspaper in the sun with Kay by his side.

Known for having a sweet tooth, he had an unbridled love for chocolates and ice cream - having never met a "smidgen" he didn't like. Whether he was cutting firewood, taking Beanie for a walk "down the crick", or listening to Johnny Cash, Bill's gruff exterior was belied by his softness for pets, kids and anyone perceived as the underdog or little guy.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by daughters, Catharine Ostir (Todd), Noreen Marsland (Bruce), Marlene Aitken; son, Bill Kern, Jr. (Nora); brother, Vincent Kern of Orwigsburg, PA; sister, Helen Felker; sisters-in-law, Mary Ellen Kern and Marilyn Kern; grandchildren, Angela, Katharine (Sam), Victoria (Tim), Jacqueline, Sawyer, Hannah, Hazel, Madison, Anthony, Taryn; great grandchildren, Samuel and Seth.

He is preceded in death by brothers, Arthur and Eugene Kern; sister, Nancy Homschek; sister-in-law, Bonnie Kern.

Family and friends are invited to attend Bill's funeral service which will be held on Monday, December 11, 2023 at 10:00 AM at the Sheldon-Kukuchka Funeral Home, 73 W. Tioga St., Tunkhannock, PA 18657 with full military honors. Interment will follow in Mountainview Burial Park, Harding.

A viewing will be held on Sunday, December 10, 2023 from 3:00-6:00 PM at the funeral home and 9:00 AM until the time of service on Monday.

Donations can be made in Bill's memory to Hospice of the Sacred Heart, 30 E.D. Preate Drive, Suite 108, Moosic, PA 18507; Griffin Pond Animal Shelter, 967 Griffin Pond Rd., South Abington Twp., PA 18411; or the Alzheimer's Association, 225 North Michigan Avenue, Floor 17 Chicago, IL 60601.