Clifford Kerns

Clifford Kerns, 90, passed away on August 9, 2014 at his home. He was born, July 24, 1924 the son of John and Blanche (Dunkle) Kerns. He is preceded in death by his parents, and brother-in-law Leroy Thomas. He is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Marjorie; children, Janice (Dennis) Kerns-Bothel, Theresa Kerns, Laura (Donnie) Bethel, David Kerns; grandchildren, Alex and Irina Bothel; sister, Polly Jane (Kerns) Thomas; nephews, Richard (Jennie) Thomas and Robert (MaryBeth) Thomas; great nephews and niece; and his uncle Charles (Linda) Dunkle. He was a 1942 graduate of Circleville High School, from there he went to Otterbein College for his Bachelor of Science in music education, and graduated from there in 1948, then he went onto Boston University, where he obtained his Master's Degree in 1950, he also studied conducting at Biarritz American University in France in 1945. He started his career in music education at Ohio Soldiers and Sailors Orphanage, in Xenia, Ohio and was there from 1948 to 1949, after that he was at Clearview High School, in Loraine, Ohio from 1950 to 1951, from 1952 to 1957 he was at Laurelville Consolidated High School, and from 1957 to 1979 he was at Circleville Junior High School, he also gave private lessons in music all of his life. He was the owner and operator of Circle K Ranch from 1968 to 1998, and a farmer from 1952 to 1990. After he retired, he worked for the board of elections, New Hope Christian School, and Home School Academy. He was the director of the Pumpkin Show Band for 25 years. He served his country during WWII, serving in Africa, Italy, France, Germany, and Central Europe. He was a member of the American Legion and played bugle with the Honor Guard, a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, where he was active in the Couples Club, past president of Retired Teachers, a member of the Pumpkin Show Community Band and the Adelphi Community Band, and past member of the Seal of Ohio Band and Olivedale Band. He loved and was loved by his family and friends, he loved music, and especially playing his euphonium. He also loved traveling and taking cruises to Alaska, Bermuda and the Caribbean. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to; Trinity Lutheran Church, Pumpkin Show Band, c/o Dave Winner, 151 East Main St., Circleville, Ohio, 43113, Heartland Hospice, 116 Morris Rd., Circleville, OH 43113 or American Heart Association, P.O. Box 15120, Chicago, IL, 60693. A special thanks to Heartland Home Health, and Hospice, and Lynn Nance and Amy Parker. Family will receive friends from 2-4PM and 6-8PM Wednesday, at the Defenbaugh-Wise-Schoedinger Funeral Home in Circleville with a Memorial service on Thursday, at 4PM with words from The Rev. Dr. Gerhard Kraus, at Trinity Lutheran Church 135 East Mound St. Circleville, Ohio. Burial will be on the family farm at a later date. Military service provided by Amvets Post 2256 Honor Guard will be at the conclusion of the memorial service. Please visit www.schoedinger.com to write a favorite memory of Clifford.