HOISINGTON ­- 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; daughters, Kimberly Kern and Katherine Shelton; ten grandchildren; sister, Mary (Kenny) Bath; and several nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Wade Patrick and Kenneth Michael Kern; and an infant granddaughter.

Memorial services are pending. Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.nicholsonrickefh.net.

Funeral arrangements provided by

Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home

415 N. Main

P.O. Box 146

Hoisington, KS 67544

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, July 4, 2021