Memorials

Ellen “Marie” Kerns, 86, of Columbia City, died at 1:50 a.m. Wednesday, November 26, 2008, at Parkview Whitley Hospital.
She was born October 14, 1922, in Whitley County, Indiana a daughter of Ralph M. and Ruth (Patterson) Kistler. Her formative years were spent in Larwill and Jefferson Township, Whitley County. She graduated from Larwill High School and Wayne Beauty College in Fort Wayne.
Following the closing of Montgomery Ward in Columbia City, where she was employed over 28 years, she began working at Ward’s Warehouse in Fort Wayne, retiring from their Mishawaka location. Following her retirement, she moved to Liberal, Kansas, for four years at worked for Southwest Medical Center as a receptionist before returning to Columbia City. She also drove the Journal Gazette paper route for 16 years.
Her memberships included Big Lake Church of God, Women of the Church of God, Eagles #1906 Auxiliary where she was a past president, Sugar & Spice Home Demonstration Club, American Legion Post #98 Auxiliary and Women of the Moose #861.
Surviving relatives a son, Melvin E. “Ed” Kerns of Wichita, Kansas; three grandchildren, Karrie Jenneret, Melvin Kerns II and Matthew Kerns; 12 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Melvin Kistler of Columbia City and Bruce Kistler of Spencerville; and a sister, Barbara Lee Fuller of Lake Wales, Florida.
She was preceded in death by a daughter-in-law, DeIla Kerns; a great-grandson; and a brother, Merl.
The funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, November 29, 2008, at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City. The burial will be in Lakeview Cemetery, Larwill. The visitation will be from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.
For those who wish, memorials may be made to Big Lake Church of God Building Fund.