Lee Phillip (Phil) Kern, 72, passed away at his home in Hoisington, Kansas June 29, 2021.  

He was born July 9, 1948 in Great Bend, Kansas to Kenneth and Ellen Carter Kern.

A Great Bend High School and Fort Hays State University Alum, Phil was a keen businessman and entrepreneur, working in the oil industry and as a general contractor. He made his home in Salina, Kansas; Tucson, Arizona; Springdale, Arkansas; and Overland Park, Kansas until returning to the Great Bend area.  He was of Catholic faith. 

Phil could almost always be found engineering a project, fine tuning it down to the smallest detail, leaving no stone unturned. He enjoyed traveling, watching golf, spoiling his black Lab Shady, and sharing good stories and cold beer. 

He is survived by his son, Clark Kern and his wife, Shari; daughters, Kimberly Kern and Katherine Shelton and her husband, Tate; ten grandchildren; sister, Mary Bath and her husband, Kenny; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Wade Patrick and Kenneth Michael Kern; and an infant granddaughter. 

Memorial service will be held October 16, 2021, at 10 a.m. at Stockham Family Funeral home in McPherson, Kansas.  Interment of Ashes will follow at McPherson Cemetery.

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Oct. 10, 2021