EL DORADO — Clarence H. Kerns, 96, passed away  Jan. 2, 2014, in El Dorado.
Clarence was born May 1, 1917 in El Dorado, the son of Harley and Allie (Price) Kerns.
He attended El Dorado schools graduating in 1935. He attended El Dorado Junior College and graduated in 1937. He served in the United States Army Air Corps from 1943 to 1946. Clarence was united in marriage to Vivian Ruth Hursh on Nov. 10, 1939. She passed away in May of 1971. On Jan. 18, 1981 he was united in marriage to Rovilla Beardsley. He was employed by Skelly for 40 years as an octane tester.
Clarence was a member of the First Christian Church and was the Chairman of the trustees from 1955 to 2012. He was a member of the Patmos Lodge No. 81, the Masonic Order of Wichita Consistory and Order of the Eastern Star. He was involved with the Boy Scouts for 40 years. On Jan. 12, 1956 he was awarded the Silver Beaver Award, the highest honor a local council of the Boy Scouts can bestow on a volunteer leader. He loved woodworking, and he has traveled to every state.
Survivors include his wife Rovilla; children, Kenneth and wife Connie, Great Bend; Maynard and wife Diane and Mary and husband Dean Spoon, all of El Dorado; step-son, Jim Beardsley and wife Allison, Denver, Colo.; four grandchildren; 14 step-grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and many step-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by a sister Lucille, a granddaughter, and a step-son Jack Beardsley.
Celebration of his life was held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2014, at the First Christian Church, El Dorado.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established with the First Christian Church, El Dorado.
Memorials may be left at Kirby-Morris Funeral Home. Condolences may be left at www.kirbymorrisfuneralhome.

Funeral arrangements provided by
Bryant Funeral Home *
1425 Patton Road
Great Bend, KS, 67530
Great Bend (Kan) Tribune, Jan. 9, 2014