Feb 12, 2013

Felix A. Kerns, 94, of Bentleyville, died Monday, February 11, 2013, in H.J. Heinz III Progressive Care, Pittsburgh.

He was born September 13, 1918, in Bagley, a son of the late Bernard and Mary Koshar Kerns.

Mr. Kerns was a veteran of World War II, serving as a staff sargeant in the U.S. Army Air Corps in Asia as a radioman aboard a C-47 in China and Central Burma. For his service, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign medal with two bronze stars, American Campaign medal, Good Conduct Medal and World War II Victory Medal.

For more than 30 years, Mr. Kerns was a crane man at LaFarge Inc. in West Mifflin and later in Belle Vernon, until his retirement in 1989.

He was a member of Independent Club of Bentleyville and enjoyed gardening and auto mechanics.

Surviving are a daughter, Cynthia J. Kress (Don) of Bentleyville; a son, Randy P. Kerns Sr. (Audrey) of Bentleyville; seven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; three sisters, Margaret Vinansky of Eighty Four, Bridgette Kerns of Eighty Four and Sarah Billups of Ellsworth; and several nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, February 13, in Beallsville Cemetery, with the Rev. Andy Scott officiating. Full military rites will be accorded by Hancock-McCune Post 705, Centerville American Legion. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Greenlee Funeral Home, 619 Main Street, Bentleyville, PA 15314. A guest book and personal condolences may be accessed at www.GreenleeFuneralHome.com.