JOHN S. KEARNS

1934 - 2025

John S. Kearns, 91, of Wellsboro, passed away at home on Monday, June 16, 2025. Born April 5, 1934, in Jersey City, N.J., he was the son of the late Patrick Kearns and Katharine (Simpson) Ross. John joined the U.S. Coast Guard at age 17, he served from 1952 – 1954 and was stationed in Greece on the Voice of America ship. He married Ann McNulty on February 20, 1965, and they shared 60 years together. In 1957 he finished and received an apprenticeship in carpentry. He owned and operated the Kearn's This and That Shop, where he did many types of jobs but enjoyed and specialized in door installation. John later discovered his love for antiques and opened a co-op known as The Country Trader in Mansfield. After selling the business he continued to wheel and deal with people. John was loved by many and was a social butterfly. He would meet with different groups of people for coffee hour but his favorite thing to do was go to the campground on his side by side to meet and greet everyone. When his weekend friends came in, he would pester them to play euchre and snack on all their yummy food. He prided himself and community by making coffee at 4:30 a.m. at Baxter's Restaurant up until February of this year. John was involved in the Holy Child Catholic Church in Mansfield and a member of the Lions Club for 50 years.
He is survived by his loving wife, Ann; children, John (Tina) Kearns Jr. and Mary (Brian) Kearns-Allen; grandchildren, Zachary Wagner, Celeste (Sean) Thomas, Deidra (Joseph Woolley) Miller and Rianna Kearns; great grandchildren, Kameran and Jayden Thomas. A funeral mass will be held at Holy Child Catholic Church, Mansfield on Tuesday, June 24 at 10 a.m. The family will greet friends from 9 – 10 a.m. in the church hall. Burial will be in the Bath VA National Cemetery. A Celebration of John's Life will be held at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to the Mansfield Lions Club, PO Box 353, Mansfield, PA 16933.