Gerald "Gary" L. Kern

Gerald "Gary" L. Kern, 70, of Mansfield, lost his battle with a short illness of pancreatic cancer on Thursday, December 7, 2017 at his residence. Born July 23, 1947 in Mansfield, he was the son of Howard and Alice (Niebel) Kern.

Gary was a 1965 graduate of Loudonville High School and served in the United States Army from 1967-1968 during the Vietnam War. He was 2nd of 12 in the 25th Infantry earning both a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star. He was employed at Hydromatic Pumps and Plastering Incorporated before going to work for Embarq, retiring after 38 years of service. He was co-owner of Crafty Clutter in Lexington along with his wife, Vicki whom he met by saying "I have never had a ride in a firebird before". He was a member of First English Lutheran Church.

Gary was an outdoor person who loved the fall, mowing grass, tinkering with his "toys" and was considered a skilled mechanic who could fix anything ~ he "kernalized" it. He had a sense of humor but in a quirky way. Gary enjoyed a good game of chess, puzzles, and was always interested in politics and investing. Gary also enjoyed family vacations, camping and boating and had a season pass to Cedar Point every year. Gary was a simple man who always wanted more for his family than himself. He loved his cat, Puddy and especially loved spending time with his family and his grandsons. Gary was a fighter who never wanted to give up.

He is survived by his loving wife of 47 wonderful years, Vicki (Ackerman) Kern; two daughters, April "Apes" (Bob) Coker and Missey "Boo" (Michael) Anderson; three grandchildren, Nicholas Coker and Gage and Tyler "Big T" Anderson; his step mother, Mary Lou Kern; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Gregg and Judy Ackerman; sister-in-law, Joann Ackerman; numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and co-workers; and special neighbors, Matt and Liz Taylor.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by an infant sister and a brother-in-law, Dean Ackerman.

The family would like to send special thanks to the physical therapy floor at OhioHealth for giving Gary and his family comfort and compassion throughout his illness and sincere gratitude to family, friends and co-workers who were there to help Gary's family when they needed it the most.

Friends may call from 2:00-4:00 p.m. Sunday, December 10, 2017 at the Diamond Street Home of Wappner Funeral Directors, 98 South Diamond Street, Mansfield. The funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, December 11, 2017 at the funeral home, conducted by Rev. Michael Hughes, special friend of the family. Friends may also call one hour prior to the service, from 10:00 - 11:00 a.m., on Monday at the funeral home. He will be laid to rest in Mansfield Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or the Humane Society of Richland County and can be left at the funeral home.