Larry Thomas Kerner (82) of Bridgeport

Larry Thomas Kerner, age 82, of Bridgeport, Illinois, passed away at 3:07 AM - Wednesday, April 26, 2023, at his home.  

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 AM – Tuesday, May 2, 2023, at St Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Newton, Illinois, with Fr. Dean Probst, celebrating mass. Burial will be in the New St Peter Cemetery northeast of Newton, Illinois. Visitation will be held 4:00 to 6:00 PM – Monday, May 1, 2023, at the Meyer Funeral Home in Newton, Illinois. The obituary can be viewed, and condolences left by clicking here.

Larry was born on March 29, 1941, in Fox Township, Jasper County, Illinois, the son of Leo John and Anna Madeline (Schafer) Kerner. He graduated from Newton Community High School with the Class of 1960. On February 9, 1965, he was united in marriage to Delores Rauch at St Joseph Catholic Church in Olney, Illinois. In 1966, he moved his family to Portage, Indiana.

Larry retired as an ironworker of Local 395, and after retirement they moved to Bridgeport, Illinois, in 2012. He was a member of St Lawrence Catholic Church in Lawrenceville, Illinois. He was also a 3rd and 4th degree member of the Knights of Columbus and the Elks Lodge #1208.

Larry enjoyed fishing, gardening, and taking care of his lawn.

Larry is survived by:

Wife – Delores Kerner of Bridgeport, Illinois

Daughters – Daphne Brooks of Barberton, Ohio; and Sonya Beal of Portage, Indiana

Grandchildren – Kierra Griffith of LaGrange, Kentucky; Kenneth Kearns of Barberton, Ohio; Nathan Beal of Portage, Indiana; Tim (Ashley) Beal of Portage, Indiana; and Breana (Joe) Little of Portage, Indiana

Great Grandchildren – Lillith Griffith, Lauralei Kearns, Kaylin Beal, Hadley Little, and Timmy Beal

Sister – Geneva Barber of Tecumseh, Michigan

Several nieces and nephews also survive.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents, son Tommy Kerner, granddaughter Angel Beal, son-in-law Mark Beal, siblings Leo Kerner, Jr, Carolyn Kerner, Marjorie Wakefield, Loren Dean Kerner, Leonard Kerner, and Rose Ann Kerner, brothers-in-law Don Barber and Leroy Wakefield, sisters-in-law Marietta Kerner, Barbara Kerner, and Shirley Kerner, nephews Steve Kerner, Donald Ward, Dean Kerner, Dale “Peach” Kerner, and Wayne Wakefield, and a niece Donna Summers.