Larry Kerns
Larry Kerns, 70, of Marion, died Aug. 22, 2004, at St. Luke Hospital.
Born July 13, 1934, at Emporia, he was the son of Lawrence and Helen Frazier (Hosmer) Kerns.
On Dec. 30, 1955, he married Chris Hocknell at Dover, Del.
He served a distinguished career of 22 years in the United States Air Force. During that time he served as flight engineer aboard Air Force One for three U.S. presidents. He retired in 1971.
Following his retirement from the Air Force, he worked for 27 years in the aviation industry with Cessna and Boeing in Wichita.
He was a member of Ecker-Fulkerson-Slifer VFW Post #6958.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Ronnie.
Survivors include his wife, Chris of Marion; daughters, Sharon Ewing and Marjorie Tajchman, both of Marion; two sons, Van Kerns of Mustang, Okla., and Michael Kerns of Clay Center; a sister, Virginia Kay Hydes of Helena, Mont.; brother-in-law, Tom Gravell and sister-in-law, Terri Pilleo, both of Las Vegas, Nev.; 12 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday at Marion Christian Church with the Rev. Carl Helm officiating.
Songs will include "In The Garden" and "Why Me Lord." Greg Carlson will be the vocalist and Donna Hayen the organist.
Inurnment will be at Marion Cemetery with full military rites by Fort Riley Honor Guard.
A memorial fund has been established with St. Luke Hospital.
