Michael John Kern Sr.

Michael John Kern Sr. slipped into the Great Unknown on Monday morning, Aug. 18, 2025, at Maple Park Village Nursing Home in Westfield, Indiana, after a short battle with a ferocious cancer. He was 75.

He was born on Nov. 2, 1949, in Elkhart, Indiana, the second child of Thomas Kern and Carol (Rowe) Kern (later Lechlitner). He always loved and looked up to his older brother Thomas (and wife Lana), and he always loved and cared greatly about his two younger sisters, Susan (and Al Sandberg) and Linda Lechlitner. His siblings (and nephews and nieces) were truly important to him until his last moments on Earth.

Michael was a United States Air Force and Vietnam veteran, but he never let a particular job define him.

Michael married Patricia Eby in 1970 and they had two sons, Michael Jr. (Jilyan) and Chad (Kimberly). Patricia died in 1980 and, afterwards, Michael raised his two sons on his own but also with assistance from his incredible extended family. Later, Michael Sr. welcomed two new granddaughters, Ellery and Callie, whom he loved very much.

In 2004, Michael married the love of his later life, Kathleen, and they proceeded to bounce between Elkhart and Charlottesville, Virginia, for (most) of the remainder of his days. Michael loved his step-daughter Heather, her husband Gene, and his two grandsons, Adrian and Nick.

Michael was a kind-hearted man who enjoyed walks, time with his wife, and a lifelong hobby of short wave radio listening and communication.

He was capable of greeting a family member or a total stranger with a smile all the way to the end. He was a good and caring man who will be missed by all who truly knew him.

There will be no formal funeral, but he is worthy of being remembered in your thoughts and prayers.