Rev. Richard E. Kern

Rev. Richard E. “Dick” Kern, 77, of Susquehanna Valley Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, Columbia, who was formerly of York and Dallastown, died Tuesday Morning at the home. He was the husband of Phyllis L. (Stermer) Kern with whom he celebrated at 52nd Wedding Anniversary this past June 19th. Viewings will be held from 6 to 8 pm Friday at Geiple Funeral Home, Inc., 53 Main St., Glen Rock, and from 10 to 11 am Saturday at the Arlington EC Church, 585 Lombard Road, Red Lion, where funeral services will be held at 11 AM with Rev. Sterling Trimmer, Jr., officiating. Burial will be private at the convenience of the family. Rev. Kern was born in Spring Grove, on August 29, 1940, a son of the late Clarence E. and Anna M, (Altland) Kern. He graduated in 1958 from Spring Grove High School and received his Masters of Divinity Degree from the Evangelical School of Theology in Myerstown, PA. Serving as a minister for over 44 years in the Evangelical Congregational Church, he served churches in Clarks Valley, Pa, Pine Beach, NJ, Herndon, PA, Narvon, Pa, Bethlehem Pa, Mt Joy and at Faith E.C. Church in Bair Station for 8 years until his retirement in 2008. He also served as chaplain at Colonial Manor and at Heatherbank Nursing Homes. He was a member of Arlington EC Church. Besides his wife, he leaves a daughter, Sharon A. Dukeman (Bryan) of Mt. Joy; two sons, Mark A. Kern (Leslie) of Boomer, NC. and David E. Kern (Neesha) of Parker AZ; three grandchildren, Jacob L., Jonathan H. and Sarah E. Dukeman; and a brother, Thomas E. Kern of Thomasville. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Evangelical Seminary, (mark for the Four Chaplains Scholarship), 121 South College Street, Myerstown, PA 17067-1299. Condolences may be shared at geiple.com