Judge Joseph Kerns

Judge Joseph D. Kerns, 90, of Urbana died at 4:00 P.M. Friday, September 21, 2012 in the Springfield Regional Medical Center. He was born September 15, 1922, in Urbana, a son of William C. and Margaret (Sexton) Kerns. A member of St. Mary Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus #1727, Judge Kerns graduated from St. Mary High School and the University Of Cincinnati School Of Law. Judge Kerns served as an Assistant Ohio Attorney General, was a Probate and Juvenile Judge in Champaign County, sat on the Second District Court of Appeals for 30 years and was a decorated combat infantry veteran of WWII. Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Peggy (North) Kerns, whom he married on October 9, 1948, children Ann Comer and her husband Brendan of Port Washington, WI, Joan Place and her husband Jim of Dayton, OH, Mark Kerns of Columbus, OH, John Kerns and his wife Nancy of Naples, FL, Julie McDaniel and her husband Rod of Lebanon, OH and Deanna Sundheimer and her husband Alan of Urbana, grandchildren Jimmy Place and his wife Connie, Peggy Butze and her husband Eric, Carolyn Heller and her husband Ryan, Katie Kerns, Joe Kerns, Claire McDaniel and Brian McDaniel and great grandchildren Sophia Place, RJ Place and Kaitlyn Butze. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister and brothers. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, September 25, 2012 in St. Mary Catholic Church, 231 Washington Avenue, Urbana with Father Greg Konerman, celebrant. Burial will follow in Oak Dale Cemetery, Urbana. The family is being served by the WALTER & SMITH FUNERAL HOME, 642 S. Main Street, Urbana. Memorial contributions may be made in Judge Kerns’ memory to a veterans’ organization of your choice. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.walterfunerals.com.