Obituary of Robert Kerns

Robert C. Kerns, 95, of Parker, CO, and formerly of Burdett, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 29, 2015. He was born in Waltham, MA on July 18, 1920, the son of the late Robert and Bernice (McQueen) Kerns. Robert served with the US Army Corps 328th Infantry Regiment, 26th Division during WWII. He served most of his Army time serving in Germany and France from December, 1944- February, 1946. He was a platoon guide, with a rank of Staff Sergeant (4 stripes), which meant doing whatever his Tech Sergeant (5 stripes) told him he needed done. He was often sent on "forward trips" to check out what was ahead for the troops in his division. Sometimes these were enjoyable trips, other times, dangerous. He often told the story of wearing out two pairs of boots marching across Europe. In his early working years, Robert was a driver for Cotton Hanlon Lumber. He later worked in road construction, retiring in 1982. He was predeceased by his wife, Flora Bush Kerns in 1997; a daughter, Sharon Kerns Miller in 1999; son, Owen Kerns in 1996; son-in-law, Bruce Leonard in 2013; two sisters Hazel Eva and Kathy Kerns; brothers, Elliot Kerns, Donald Kerns and Dick Kerns; and step-mother, Polly Clark Kerns. He is survived by two daughters, Bonnie Kerns Leonard of Hampstead, MD, Carolyn Kerns Higginson (David) of Parker, CO; son-in-law, Roy Miller of Pennsylvania; daughter-in-law, Emily Kerns of Montour Falls (Randy Fish); two sisters, Dorothy Manheim of Trumansburg and Betty Lane of Ulster, PA; 10 grandchildren; twenty-two great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Relatives and friends are invited to call on Saturday, January 9, 2016 from 10 am - 1 pm at Vedder and Scott Funeral Home, 122 N. Genesee St., Montour Falls. Funeral services will begin at 1:00 pm at the funeral home. Burial with full military honors will follow at Union Cemetery of Hector.