DR. J. M. KERNS
DR. J. M. Kerns dies suddenly
Had Practised (sic) Medicine In Malad Past Thirty seven years
Dr. James Marion Kerns, 59, who has practiced (sic) medicine and surgery in Malad since 1898, died at his home here Monday afternoon from a paralytic stroke. This was the second stroke Dr. Kerns had suffered during the past two years.
Dr. Kerns was born at Monticello, Kentucky. At the age of 18 he entered the Hospital College of Medicine at Louisville, Kentucky, from which institution he was graduated with the class of June 1898. Following his graduation in medicine, Doctor Kerns practiced for a few months at Frazier, Kentucky, and in 1898 he came to Malad where he has been practicing since.
On October `17, 1917, Dr. Kerns was commissioned first lieutenant and went into training at the medical officers’ training camp at Fort Riley, Kansas. He left New York in June, 1918 and reached France later in the same month, where he served for eight months. He was attached to base hospital No. 3, and had charge of three wards for several weeks. He was then ordered to serve with the Third Ammunition Train, Third Division, and while in that service went through St. Mihiel and Argonnne Forest battles, witnessing all the carnage and devestation of those engagements. He was promoted to rank of Captain in February, 1919, and was discharged at Camp Lewis, Washington on the 18th of that month. He returned to Malad city and continued in the practice of his profession.
On June 12, 1901, Dr. Kerns was united in marriage to Mary Jones, a daughter of William H. and Jane Daniels Jones, who were among first settlers of Malad valley.
Dr. Kerns is survived by his wife, and two sons, Dr. Claude Kerns of Pittsburg, California, Dr. Marion Kerns of Malad, and one daughter, Mrs. Griff Davis, Jr, of Malad. His father, Job M. of Kentucky, aged 88, and a civil war veteran, also survives him.
Dr. Kerns served as county physician and assistant surgeon of the O.S.L. for many years. He was the first commander of the local legion post.
Dr. Kerns was a member of the Baptist church.
The funeral services will be held Friday at 1 p.m. at the Second Ward tabernacle.
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FUNERAL HELD FRIDAY
DR. J.M. KERNS, for whom funeral services were held Friday afternoon at the second ward tabernacle.
Impressive Rites For Dr. J. M. Kerns
Most impressive were the funeral services held for Dr. J. M. Kerns at the Second ward tabernacle Friday afternoon. The large building was filled to capacity by sorrowing relatives and friends who had congregated to pay tribute to the memory of a man who for more than a quarter of a century with conscientious fidelity had performed the arduous duties of a country doctor in this county. The beautiful display of flowers were an eloquent testimonial of the high regard in which Dr. Kerns was held by the people of this section of the state.
The funeral cortege participated in by members of the Ernest Jones post of the American Legion of which Dr. Kerns was the first commander, the I. O. O. F. lodge and citizens of the community (????) was imposing.
An eloquent and inspirative address was delivered by R. N. Hill. He told of Dr. Kerns’ many fine qualities and his faithfulness to his chosen profession. The invocation by Elias Richards and the benediction by Dr. O. H. Mabey were full of feeling and sentiment. The Rev. Sharp read the scripture and Clyde Hanson gave a brief biographical sketch.
Beautiful selections by a male chorus under the direction of Prof. Powell and a solo by Margaret Edwards Jones added much to the impressiveness of the services.
The following original poem was read by Thomas S. Thomas, a lifelong friend of the doctor:
Dr. Kerns, a friend, a life-long pal,
Has crossed that divide that someday I shall.
But death after all is a friend in disguise,
It serves all alike, both foolish and wise.
You may do what you may, this demise you must share,
It’s a plan of the gods, this yoke you must bear.
But there is consolation, just keep this in mind,
When you reach that blessed home, all your loved ones there find.
That day of returning is a joy and a pride
Where your life is perpetual, where love doth guide.
Where the grace of the gods you can truly define,
It’s a picture of beauty this whole outline.
So mourn not the dead, let them rest in peace,
It’s a sanction from God to grant.
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