Dr. A. Neil Kerns

Dr. A. Neil Kerns, 89, of Vero Beach, Fla., died Jan. 9 at his home.

Neil was born Nov. 17, 1927, in Jersey Shore, Pa. He graduated from high school in June of 1945 in Butler, where he was in the Sports Hall of Fame.

He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, achieving the rank of air crewman from 1945 to 1946.

Neil later went on to the Pennsylvania School of Optometry, where he graduated Feb. 15, 1950, in the accelerated program as a doctor of optometry. Neil practiced in Butler from 1950 until his retirement in 1983.

He continued his education, graduating his externship at the Giselle Institute of Child Development at Yale attending from 1965 to 1966, and he received his master's degree in special education learning disabilities in 1967 from Slippery Rock University.

He achieved and was a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, the College of Visual Development and published a book on visual and perceptual development for teachers and parents.

Neil retired from optometry in 1983. In 1984, he moved to Florida, became a licensed investment stock and insurance broker and was associated with A.G. Edwards for over 17 years.

Survivors include his beloved wife, Suzanne Kerns; his son, Matthew (Jenny) Kerns, all of Vero Beach; and his grandson, Tyler.

He was preceded in death in 2001 by his first wife of many years, Arline.

KERNS — At the request of Dr. A. Neil Kerns, who died Monday, Jan. 9, 2017, services will be private.Arrangements are under the direction of the Strunk Funeral Home, Vero Beach.Memorial contributions may be made to the Shriners International, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607.An online guest book is available at www.strunkfuneralhome.com.