Richard E. Kerns Sr.

Richard E. Kerns, Sr., 85 of Dunnellon, Florida died on Tuesday, November 16, 2010. He was born in Walpham, Massachusetts on Monday, August 3, 1925 to Robert C. and Bernice (McQueen) Kerns. Mr. Kerns was a retired carpenter and a member of the First Methodist Church in Dunnellon, Florida. He served his country in the U.S. Army and was a POW during WWII. Richard was a life member of the West Central Florida Chapter of the Ex-Prisoners of War.

Richard E. Kerns having great respect and a desire to become a member of the Masonic Fraternity petitoned Farmville Union Masonic Lodge #183 F. & A.M. located in Interlaken, New York for membership. Following a clear ballot, he was Initiated and Entered Apprentice on the 20th day of October in 1952; Passed to the Degree of Fellow Craft on the 19th day of January in 1953 and Raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason on the 1st day of March in 1953. He was elected to the Oriental Chair of Worshipful Master and served Farmville Lodge in 1958. Right Worshipful Brother Kerns served the Grand Lodge of New York as District Deputy Grand Master. Right Worshipful Brother Kerns was a member of Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Valley of Syracuse, New York for the Northern Jurisdiction, where he was invested with the Rank and Honor of 32nd degree Master of the Royal Secret. He was a life member of Trumansburg Eastern Star Chapter #479, where he served as Worthy Patron and District Deputy. He was a good and bright Mason among us and was a member of the Masonic Fraternity for 57 years..

Mr. Kerns was preceded in death by his wife Zoe E. Kerns on March 10, 1998; by his brothers, Donald and Elliott Kerns and sister, Kathy Kerns.

Survivors include his daughter, Cynthia L. Kerns and partner, Estelle Shannis of Ocala, Florida; son, Richard Kerns, Jr. and wife Debbie of Virginia Beach, Virginia; brother, Robert Kerns of Colorado; sisters, Betty Lane of Pennsylvania, Dorothy Manhiem and husband Walter of Trumansburg, New York and Hazel Eva of Genoa, New York; grandchildren, Michael Coyne and wife Donna of Tennessee, David Kerns and wife Sarah of South Carolina, Jennifer Clark and husband Brian of Ocala, Florida, Matthew Kerns and wife Rachel of Virginia and Johnny Lee and Justin Tarlton both of Tennessee; great grandchildren, Mason Coyne of Tennessee, Cassidy and Elliott Kerns both of South Carolina and great great grandson, Hunter Tarlton of Tennessee.

Visitation, Sunday, November 21, 2010 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM. A Funeral Service with the Friendship Masonic Lodge #53 officiating will take place on Monday, November 22, 2010 at 10:30 AM at Fero Funeral Home, 5955 N. Lecanto Highway, Beverly Hills, Florida 34465. Interment will follow at Florida National Cemetery with Military Honors provided by Angela Santos V.F.W. Post #4781.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Marion County, P.O. Box 4860, Ocala, Florida 34478.

Arrangements entrusted to Fero Funeral Home

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