Robert-M_-Kern-98550

Obituary

Pfc.Robert Kern, 23, returning to Burlington to attend funeral services for his father, was instantly killed when his car nd a truck sideswiped five miles south of Wayland, Mo., about 5:50 a.m. Wednesday. A double funeral for Kern and his father, Dr. Frederick Kern, 74 year old retired local dentist, will be held. Services for Dt. Kern. which were scheduled for Thursday afternoon, have been postponed pending further arrangements. Dr. Kern died Monday. Pfc. Kern was returning from Eglin field, Fla., where he had been stationed with the air force. His convertible and a truck driven by Jerry Caviness of Spirit Lake, Ia., sideswiped, Missouri highway patrolmen said. Caviness escaped injury. Jean Smith, 21, of Independence, a friend of the Kern family, was a passenger in the convertible. She suffered cuts and bruises but was believed not seriously injured. She was reported in good condition at Graham hospital, Keokuk, where she remained for observation Wednesday. Robert Kern's body was taken to the Guttings funeral home at Kahoka, Mo., where an inquest was scheduled late Wednesday afternoon. The body will be brought to Prugh's chapel in Burlington this evening. Robert Kern was born Jan. 6, 1930, the son of Frederick and Lillian Kern. He is survived by his mother and six brothers and sisters: Mrs. Marian Ruckstell, Pasadena, Calif., J.C. Kern, Red Oak; Mrs. Margaret Dehner, Burlington, Frederick Kern, Jr., Chicago, ill., Dr. Stanley M. Kern, Burlington, Mrs. Beverly Fahey Chariton; and a number of nieces and nephews.