Heber Michael "Herb" Kern

Heber M. (Herb) Kern, who sought always to serve his country, his community and his family, died at home on March 5, his 72nd birthday, after a courageous year-long battle with cancer. Mr. Kern retired from the Coast Guard in Mobile as a Chief Warrant Officer in March 1982. He had served previously at Coast Guard bases in Lewes, Delaware, Governors Island, New York, New London Connecticut, the Customs House in New York, Washington, D.C. and Yorktown, Va. He subsequently opened a home repair business in Mobile, Kernstruction Co., where his caring and generous spirit made him much loved by his many customers. He was a longtime member of St. Dominic’s Catholic Church in Mobile where he was active for many years in the Boy Scouts and helped run the annual blood drive. He was a model train enthusiast who served as president of the South-West Alabama Model Railroad (SWARM) Club for more than 20 years. He was also vice president from 2001 to 2009 and on the board of directors for seven years of Lionel Operating Train Society (LOTS). He also oversaw the annual model train show in Fairhope for over 20 and was always happy to show his extensive train layout to both friends and strangers passing through. He was also a director and former secretary/treasurer of the Mobile Chapter of Military Officers Association. Mr. Kern was born in the Bronx, New York. He married his high school sweetheart, Ellie Valente Kern, on Jan, 30, 1960 in Bayonne, N.J. He graduated from Bayonne High School in 1958. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his two sons, James M. Kern of Denton, Texas and Michael B. Kern (Melissa) of Navarre, Florida; and three grandsons, Chivas, Casey and Charles, with whom he enjoyed many hours of running his trains; sister-in-law Judith Valente Reynard (Charles); and his devoted hospice nurse Katie Guest. He was preceded in death by his father Heber D. Kern, his mother, Mary Kern Wittenebert, and his stepfather, George Wittenebert; a grandson, Patrick Kern, and his in-laws, Theresa and Charles T. Valente, whom Mr. Kern cared for in his home in the last years of his father- in- law’s life. He enjoyed listening to blues and Fifties music; caring for his dogs, Dixie and Belle; reading about the Civil War; and building miniature buildings for his model railroad. He will be sorely missed by many. A funeral Mass will be held in his honor Saturday (March 9) at 11 a.m. at St. Dominic’s Catholic Church, 4156 Burma Road, with the Rev. Mateusz Rudzik presiding. A gathering of friends will take place at the church immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association, the Amercican Society for the Prevention of Cruetly to Animals (A.S.P.C.A.), or the American Cancer Society. Condolences may be offered at www.mmgfuneralhome.com. Arrangements by Mobile Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, 6040 Three Notch Road, Mobile, Alabama 36619.