Modine (Houseworth) Kern

Omega Modine Kern, 100, passed away surrounded by family on Sunday, October 30, 2022 at her son’s home in Mt. Vernon, Illinois.

Modine was born September 20, 1922 in Belle Rive, Illinois, the daughter of Andrew Jackson “Jack” Houseworth and Arzella (Atchison) Houseworth.  On May 2, 1940, she married Arthur Willis Kern, who preceded her in death.

She was a Licensed Practical Nurse who was one of the first employees hired at Crossroads Hospital in Mt. Vernon, where she continued working until her retirement.  Modine previously worked as the Nursing Home Administrator for Petersen Healthcare.  She also volunteered at the soup kitchen in Mt. Vernon for many years, and was a member of the Friendship of Faith Church of Mt. Vernon.  Modine liked going to rodeos, doing sudoku puzzles, and collecting decorative plates from different states and countries.  

Modine is survived by two sons: Robert “Butch” Kern and wife Mary Pearl of Okeechobee, FL and Jeffery Kern of Mt. Vernon, IL; five grandchildren: Sherry (Scott) Miller and husband Chuck of Lawton, OK, Robyn (Kern) Spradlin of Okeechobee, FL, Scotty Scott and wife Ashley of Dahlgren, IL, Carmen (Scott) Loper and husband Patrick of Lorida, FL, and Brandy (Scott) Coffey and husband Tom of New Baden, IL. Twelve great grandchildren and 9 great-great grandchildren also survive.

She was preceded in death by her parents Jack and Arzella Houseworth, husband Arthur Kern, daughters Janie L. Kern and Frances Scott, brothers Earl and Herschel Houseworth, and grandson James Robert Scott.

Funeral services for Modine Kern will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, November 5, 2022 at the Gholson Funeral Home in Dahlgren with Pastor Henrietta Dunavan officiating.  Visitation will be held from 5:00pm to 7:00pm on Friday, November 4, 2022 at the Gholson Funeral Home in Dahlgren.  Interment will follow the funeral service at Oak Hill Cemetery near Frisco, IL.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Paralyzed Veterans of America and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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