Clare Kerns

Clare A. Kerns, 92, a resident of Chambers Pointe (Penn Hall), departed this life on the morning of Thursday, June 29, 2017.

He was born on January 14, 1925, in Orrstown, the son of the late Ottis A. and Martha E. Hollinger Kerns and was a 1942 graduate of Shippensburg High School. Clare married Edna E. Daihl on August 9, 1946 in the Messiah United Methodist Church, Shippensburg. She preceded him in death just five months ago, on January 24, 2017.

Clare was a self-employed dairy farmer for approximately thirty years, retiring from farming in 1976. He was voted as an Outstanding Young Farmer by the USJCC, Cumberland County; served one term on the Federal Farm Loan Board, was a member of the Cumberland County Soil Conservation District Board.

Clare was the maintenance supervisor of the Shippensburg School District for approximately twenty years. He served as President of the Southampton Twp., Cumberland County School Board; Shippensburg Joint School Board; Shippensburg Area Joint Operating School Board; the Cumberland County School Board; and the Regional School Film Library Board. He also served as Secretary, Vice President, and President of the Adams Electric Board of Directors, and as Secretary of the Cumberland Franklin Joint Municipal Authority.

He was a long-time member of the Messiah United Methodist Church, sang in the choir for twenty-five years, and served as co-chairman of the church Building Committee. Clare was a life member of the Vigilant Hose Fire Company #1 and the Kinzer Steam Association, Lancaster Co. He enjoyed restoring antique tractors and trucks and was a President of the Cumberland Valley Antique Engine and Machinery Association Board, Chambersburg. He was a forty year member of the Williams Grove Historical Steam Engine Association, Inc. and a charter member of the International Harvester Collectors Chapters 8 and 17.

He is survived by his son, Larry (Carolyn) Kerns of Shippensburg; two daughters, Linda Snyder of Chambersburg and Connie (Christopher) Army of Biglerville; two grandchildren, Nathan Fox and Emily Fox of Biglerville; and two step-granddaughters, Abigail and Margaux Army of Gettysburg; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents and spouse, Clare was preceded in death by his sister, Doris Stine.

His funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 8, 2017, at the Fogelsanger-Bricker Funeral Home & Crematorium, Inc., Shippensburg. The Rev. Dr. Francis H. Norton and Rev. Steve Livermore will officiate. Interment will follow in the Spring Hill Cemetery. Viewing will be Friday, July 7, 2017, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., and one hour prior to the service on Saturday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Messiah United Methodist Church at 25 South Penn St. Shippensburg, PA 17257 or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.