Mark John Kern's Obituary
Mark John Kern, son of John and Dorothy Kern, was born on May 1, 1958, in Camden, New Jersey, the second of three children, and passed away on February 15, 2026, in Gainesville, FL. He was predeceased by his loving wife, Janet Theresa O'Brien Kern, his parents, and elder sister Cynthia Kern Shear. He leaves behind his two sons, Brian and John, as well as his younger sister, Dana, and many loving nieces and nephews.
Mark served for four years in the United States Army as an artillery surveyor, achieving the rank of Specialist 5. After his service, he joined the National Guard for a time.
Although Mark worked many jobs in his life, from baking at Dunkin Donuts in his teens to installing alarms and landscaping, he made his career at the United States Postal Service as an Electronics Technician where he repaired and maintained the machines that sort and process America's mail. Alongside his wife, he was active in the American Postal Workers Union and often took time to give advice to his co-workers and friends.
He was always quick to help friends or family that needed him, to provide advice or assistance of any kind, whether leveraging his technical skills or aiding Janet in providing a second home for those of his family that needed one.
Mark's real hove was being at home, where he kept various animals from chickens to cattle over the years, and often spent his time reading up on how to better care for them. He loved gardening, and nothing made him happier than seeing friends and family enjoying the meat and produce he had raised. He loved music, and would often take a portable speaker into the yard with him, jamming out to Rock n' Roll while he worked.
Father, friend, and mentor, we will miss you. Take your wife's hand, and trust that in time, we'll all be together again.
A memorial service will be held Friday, March 20, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Williams-Thomas Westarea Chapel, 823 NW 143rd St Newberry, Florida.
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