Anna Bernice Kern, of Mount Vernon, Illinois, was born October 12, 1916, in Mount Vernon, McClellan Township, Jefferson County, Illinois. She was the daughter of the late Charles and Mable (Maddox) Lee.
Anna Bernice attended Howe One Room School before the family moved into Mount Vernon following the death of her father. There, she attended Field School (now Dr. Andy Hall School) and graduated from Mount Vernon Township High School in 1935. Anna Bernice married Ellsworth C. Kern on November 3, 1935, at the Methodist Church in Edwardsville, Illinois. She was employed by the Woolworth Department Store and then worked for twenty-six years as a cook for District 80 schools in Mount Vernon, especially known for her hot rolls. Anna Bernice Kern, 104, passed away on Monday evening, August 23, 2021, at Mount Vernon Countryside Manor following a brief illness.
Ellsworth, the love of her life, preceded her in death on November 12, 1996. Anna Bernice is survived by one daughter, Patricia D. Causer and husband, Bill of Mount Vernon; grandchildren, Brenda Ogborn and husband, Carey of Zionsville, Indiana, Anna Lisa Leggans and husband, David of Mount Vernon, Brent Howard of Mount Vernon, and Mark Causer of Belleville, Illinois; son-in-law, Ronnie Howard of Mount Vernon; great-grandchildren, Natalie Lin and husband, Mike of Carmel, Indiana, Jason McClintock and wife, Bridget of Westpoint, California, Andrew Ogborn and fiancée, Megan Banta of Eugene, Oregon, Jaimie Howard and special friend, Jay Harris of Sims, Illinois, Sarah Gowler and husband, Dustin of Mount Vernon, Matthew McClintock and special friend, Lindsey Peacher of Plano, Texas, Danielle McAfee and husband, Daniel Thorn of Columbia, Missouri, and Tobi Leggans of Australia; great-grandchildren, Addison McClintock, Braxton McClintock, Evan Gowler, Conner Lin, Audrey Lin, Madelyn Howard, Malejah Harris, and Evelyn McAfee; and nieces and nephews, Carol Saladin and husband, Randy of Mount Vernon, Charles Lee of Houston, Texas, Steve Lee of Mount Vernon, and Susan Meyer of Saint Louis, Missouri.
Anna Bernice was preceded in death by her sisters, Alice Lee (July 8, 2002) and Margaret Haman (October 3, 2016); brother, Bill Lee (January 3, 2018); and her beloved daughter, Sharon Howard (January 26, 2019).
Anna Bernice was very proud of her home and family and loved to welcome guests. She was the oldest member of the First United Methodist Church. The visits from the church visitation team and staff were much appreciated. She and Ellsworth were members of the Roadrunners Camping Club and enjoyed camping with friends and family. Though unable to walk for the past several years, she maintained a keen interest in the community and her family. Her memory of people and events over the long years of her life was remarkable. She will be missed by her family for which she was the loving heart and center. The family wishes to thank the staff at Countryside Manor, Hospice Care, and Good Samaritan Hospital for the loving attention given to Anna Bernice over the past month. The assistance give by The Medicine Shoppe and Byrd Watson helped with her care. Her in-home care given through Addus and the Veterans Administration is especially recognized, and Jeanine Casey for her loyal and loving care of Anna Bernice for several years. It was wonderful.
A Visitation will be held Saturday, August 28, 2021, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at Hughey Funeral Home in Mount Vernon. A Funeral Service will begin at 11:00 am with Reverend Victor Long and Reverend Ian Barbee officiating. Interment will follow at Mount Vernon Memorial Gardens in Woodlawn, Illinois. Per the family’s request, masks will be required to attend the visitation and service. Call Hughey Funeral Home at 618-242-3348 or visit hugheyfh.com for further information.
