RONALD EUGENE KERN Obituary (1944

Ronald E. Kern, 76, passed away at home with his loving wife of 34 years into the arms of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Tuesday, November 3, 2020. He was born on August 22, 1944 at Rockford, Illinois to Roy and Jeanette Kern. He graduated from Auburn Senior High School in Rockford in 1962. He enlisted in the US Navy in 1962 and transferred to the US Naval Reserves as a hospital corpsman until being honorably discharged in 1968. He was Outstanding Corpsman of the month in November of 1964. Ron married Sharon in 1962 until 1986. He married Carol Orr on November 8, 1986. He worked for Ipsen Industries and Carpenter's Union Local 792 in Rockford. He moved to Montana in 1973 and worked for Ninneman Surveying in Troy. He owned Heritage Construction in Troy from 1977 - 1980; went to work at ASARCO in 1981 and in 1993 went to work at Heritage Construction until 2003. He worked for the Troy School District from 2003 until 2008 and back to work at Heritage Construction until he retired in 2010. Ron was a member of the New 49ers. He loved hunting, fishing, and prospecting for gold on his 2 gold claims, and his beloved dog Jedidiah Kootenai Skyhunter that passed away on October 21, 2019. He was preceded in death by his parents Roy and Jeannette Kern and a son Christopher Kern in 2015. Survivors include his wife Carol Kern, Troy; children Carrie Cummings, Missoula; Carl Kern, Eugene, OR; stepson Austin Orr, Libby; a brother Ken Kern; a sister Candy Erba; 1/2 sister Sara Babler; grandchildren Adam Cummings, Alex Cummings, Nick Kern; and great grandchildren Sofia and Ellie Cummings. Arrangements are by Schnackenberg Funeral Home in Libby. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.schnackenbergfh.com.