Kenneth R. "Kenny" Jern

Kenneth R. "Kenny" Jern, age 84, of Oquawka, Illinois; passed away at Heartland Health Care Center in Galesburg, Illinois on Thursday November 27, 2014 at 6:15 pm. Kenny was born on February 11, 1930 in Oquawka, Illinois and is the son of Oliver and Iva G. Boughton Jern. Kenny was raised in Oquawka, and attended local schools and graduated from G & O High School with the class of 1948. He married Mary Helen Beauchem on September 27, 1952 in Dixon, Illinois. She preceded him on December 16, 2002. Kenny began work at Admiral Corporation in Galesburg, ILlinois. He then attended Lincoln Barber College in Moline where he received his barber education. He began an apprentisship at Steepleton's Barbershop under Ralph's father in Oquawka, Illinois where he earned his license to cut hair. Kenny barbered in Oquawka until 1985. While barbering, Kenny was a fireman at the Iowa Army Ammunitions Plant which he did from 1974 to 1994, after which he retired. Kenny served as "Fire Chief " of the Oquawka Volunteer Fire Department in Oquawka, from 1971 to 1993. Kenny was the "Citizen of the Year " in Oquawka, in 2006, he loved to go fishing and he loved to bird watch. He is survived by one son, Dennis (Vicki) Jern of DesMoines, Iowa and his daughter in law, Pam Jern also of Oquawka, Illinois. There are two step sisters, Julia Talbott of Milan, IL and Dorothy (Gene) Beauchem of Oregon, Illinois, and three step brothers, Ivan (Bonnie) Jern of Metamora, IL; Wendell (Mary) Parsons Gladstone, IL; and Lindell (Sharline) Parsons of Oquawka, IL. Numerous Nieces and Nephews also are surviving. He is preceded in his death by his parents, wife, one son, and his step father. Services:A funeral service will be at 11:00 am on Tuesday December 2, 2014 at Turnbull Funeral Home in Oquawka, Illinois. Interment will be in the Oquawka Cemetery. His family plans a visitation with the family receiving friends at the funeral home from 5:00 to 7:00 pm on Monday evening. A memorial fund is being established for either the Oquawka Volunteer Fire Department or the Oquawka Ambulance Service.