Brother James E. Kern, 77, of Odon, Indiana, went to Heaven peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Thursday, September 1, 2016 at his home. He was born on June 14, 1939 in Evansville, Indiana to Earl Henderson and Audrey L. (Sharum) Kern. He was married to Karen K. Critchfield on December 24, 1959.

James worked in radio broadcasting for 25 years in Washington and Princeton, IN, Duquoin and Owensboro, KY, West Palm Beach, FL, Colorado Springs, CO and Lawrenceville, IL. He was also a Christian Church Minister serving in Owensville, Edwardsport, and Brookville, IN, Robards, KY, and most recently at Browns and Ellery, IL Christian Churches from which he retired in 2015.

Survivors include: his wife, Karen Kern of Odon; two daughters, Jamie (Tom) Gillingham of Vincennes and Jennifer (David) Bryant of Odon; seven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; two brothers, John (Pat) Kern of Ft. Mill, SC and Bill (Jane) Kern of San Diego, CA.

James was preceded in death by his parents and a stillborn daughter, Laura Lynn Kern.

A memorial service is scheduled for 2:00 PM on Saturday, September 10, 2016 at Ingram Funeral Home in Albion, Illinois with Bart Newton officiating. James will be laid to rest in Bethany Cemetery in Washington at a later date.

Family and friends may call from 12:00 PM until the time of service at 2:00 PM on Saturday at the funeral home.

The family has requested that memorial contributions be sent to St. Jude's Children's Hospital.

Arrangements have been entrusted to James W. Meng, Jr. and the Meng Family Funeral Home in Odon. Online condolences may be sent to www.mengfuneralhome.com.