Melvin L. Kern, 84, Vandalia

Melvin L. Kern, 84, of Vandalia, IL passed away at 9:38 AM, Thursday, January 12, 2023 at his home, surrounded by family.

Melvin Kern

A funeral service will be held at 11:00AM, Saturday, January 14, 2023 at Unity Baptist Church, Vandalia with Rev. Robert Weaver and Rev. Joe Lawson officiating.  Visitation will be held from 9:00-11:00 AM prior to the service at the church.  Burial will follow in Fairlawn Cemetery, Vandalia. Memorials may be made to Fayette County Cancer Fund, Unity Baptist Church, or Fayette County Health Dept. Hospice; online condolences can be expressed at www.hohltandfilefh.com 

Melvin Leon Kern was born October 1, 1938 in Seminary Twp., Fayette County, IL, the son of Lloyd Everett and Myrtle (Eyman) Kern. He married Janet Sue Barbee on July 05, 1957; together they celebrated 65 years of marriage and raised four daughters.

Melvin owned and operated Kern’s Feed & Supply in Mulberry Grove and also farmed.  He was a member of Parkview Free Methodist Church, and regularly attended Unity Baptist Church.

He is survived by his wife, Janet Kern of Vandalia; daughters, Deborah (Lloyd) Lewis of Vandalia, Marcia (John) Andrejack of Webberville, MI, Patricia (Randy) Hoffman of Vandalia, and Amy (Smokey) Newsom of Vandalia; brothers, Charles (Glenda) Kern of Keyesport and James (Melinda) Kern of Mulberry Grove; sisters, Shirley Barenfanger of Vandalia, Donna (Larry) Bowen of Mulberry Grove, and Barbara Jackson of Panama; grandchildren, Tim Lewis, Mark Lewis, Sarah Vanderkwaak, Eric Andrejack, Daniel Andrejack, Joel Andrejack, Erin Thomason, Kyle Hoffman, Whitney Huggins, and Alex Newsom; 16 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Melba Kay Kern.