Louis R. Kern, 87, formerly of Old Plank Road in Oak Hills, died at 10:50 a.m. Saturday at Evergreen Nursing Center, Harmony.

Born in Lyndora, Aug. 15, 1917, he was a son of Steve and Mary Janisch Kern.

In 1973, he retired from the shipping department at Armco-Butler Works after 37 years.

Mr. Kern was a member of St. Fidelis Roman Catholic Church in Meridian. He enjoyed fishing, gardening, golf and bowling.

He served in Europe with the Army military police during World War II.

Surviving are four sons, Richard J., Donald L., Carl G. and Dennis M. Kern, all of Butler; a daughter, Mrs. Gene (Jeanne) Fleming of Leesburg, Va.; a brother, Steve Kern of Portersville; and two sisters, Mrs. Mary Malesh and Mrs. Hilda Vawryk, both of Butler. Six grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews also survive.

His first wife, Ann Louise Matis Kern, died July 18, 1976. He later married Phoebe Hall Puskar Kern, who died June 4, 2001. Two brothers also preceded him in death.

KERN - Friends of Louis R. Kern, who died Saturday, Oct. 30, 2004, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at GEIBEL FUNERAL HOME, 201 E. Cunningham St. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. Fidelis Roman Catholic Church, 125 Buttercup Road, Meridian. Burial will be at St. Michael Cemetery.The Bereavement Committee of St. Fidelis Parish will hold a vigil service at 3 p.m. Tuesday, at the funeral home.Memorial donations may be made to the Butler County Unit of the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 3014, Butler, PA 16003.Information is available at www.geibelfuneralhome.com.