Rockwell City – John O. Kerns 84, of Rockwell City, formerly of Lohrville, passed away Friday, July 29, 2022 at Trinity Regional Medical Center, Fort Dodge.  Funeral Services will be 2:00 p.m. Friday, August 5, 2022 at the Palmer & Swank Funeral Home, Rockwell City, with Pastor Dillon Brandt officiating.  Visitation and viewing will be 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 4, at the funeral home with a Masonic Service at 7:00 p.m.  Burial will be at Rosehill Cemetery, Rockwell City at a later date.  Memorials may be left to the discretion of the family.

     Survivors include Linda Olesen of Rockwell City; daughters, Kerri (Earl) McAlexander of Rockwell City, and Kristen (Whit) Wheeler of Arlington, VA; grandchildren, Brittany (Daniel) Hemesath of State Center, Jacob Wheeler of Arlington, VA, and Sarah Wheeler of Washington, DC; brother Gerald “Kelly” Kerns of Phoenix, AZ; sister Dorothy Burley of Glendale, AZ; his beloved dog Dusty; and other relatives and friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Rockell “Kelly” and Doris (Good) Kerns; sister-in-law Mary Jo Kerns; brother-in-law Bob Burley; grandson Jacy McAlexander; and his beloved dog Harley.

     John Orin Kerns was born April 5, 1938 at Rockwell City, Iowa.  He graduated from Lohrville High School, with the Class of 1957.  John graduated from Iowa Barber College.  Following his education, he moved back to Lohrville where he worked at Lohrville International Harvester with his father.  John served in the National Guard Reserve.  On June 7, 1959 was united in marriage to Sonia “Toni” Mapes and the couple later divorced.  In 1963, John farmed in the Lohrville area until his passing.  He was a member of the United Methodist Church of Lohrville, Masonic Nekoda Lodge #597, Lohrville School Board, and the Lake City Country Club.

     John loved riding his Harley, golfing, driving his convertible, deer hunting, and fishing trips to Colorado with family. He was also an avid Iowa State Fan and loved Saturday tailgating with family and friends.