Kern L. Doerner

     Kern Doerner, 91, of Norris City, Illinois peacefully passed away on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at his home. He was born March 25, 1934, on the family’s home place, south of Norris City. He was the son of Christopher Fredrick and Ada Adelia (Austin) Doerner. Kern graduated from Norris City High School in 1951. He was drafted into the United States Army in March of 1953. He returned after basic training and married Mary Ella Aud on July 21,1953, at Powell General Baptist Church. They were married for 69 years before she preceded him in death on January 6, 2023. In August of 1953, Kern left for Germany to complete his tour of duty and proudly served his country in the Korean Conflict until March of 1955. Kern earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Southern Illinois University and ultimately a Master’s Degree from the University of Illinois. He began his career in education as a high school agriculture teacher in Clay City, Illinois. He was the Coordinator of the Ag Business department at Wabash Valley College in Mt. Carmel, Illinois and then Assistant to the Dean at Illinois Eastern Community Colleges which oversaw Lincoln Trail in Robinson, Olney Central College in Olney, and Wabash Valley College in Mt. Carmel. He returned to Clay City where he spent the majority of his career as Superintendent of Clay City Unit School District #10. After retiring from Clay City, he was Superintendent at Noble School District, where he retired the second and final time. After retirement, Kern returned to Norris City and served his hometown community from 1995 till 2021 as Indian Creek Township Trustee and later Township Supervisor.

     Kern loved being around his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He and Mary Ella would frequently make the circuit visiting each family, making efforts to see special events in their grandchildren’s and great-grandchildren’s lives. He enjoyed vegetable gardening and watching the St. Louis Cardinals. He had a passion for NCOE athletics and actively followed all the teams. In particular, he had a special fondness for the NCOE girls volleyball team and could be seen on the front row of the bleachers in his red and white bibs cheering on the girls.

     Kern is survived by his three children: Janette Doerner (Glenn) Syverson, Patsy Ann (Sam) Stephens, and Kinchel Clay (Mina) Doerner; four grandchildren: Jessica Paige (Ryan) Huseman, Rebecca Rae (Tyler) Schnarr, Austin Dean (Cassi) Stephens, and Linnaea Jade Doerner; five great-grandchildren: Lucy Bella Huseman, Benjamin Bailey Huseman, Micah Riley Huseman, Lyra Elise Stephens, and Ezra Dean Stephens; sister-in-law, Barb Doerner, along with numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

     A service to celebrate the life of Kern Doerner, 91, of Norris City will be held on Saturday, May 24, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. at Plainview General Baptist Church, 792 County Road 325 North, Norris City, IL 62869 Burial will follow in Plainview Cemetery with military honors by the Carmi American Legion and VFW. Visitation will be on Saturday, May 24, 2025 from 10:00 a.m. until service time at noon at Plainview General Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Kern's memory to the Alzheimer's Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601 and will be accepted by or mailed to Campbell Funeral Home, 609 W. Main St., Carmi, IL 62821 who is in charge of arrangements