Jeffrey (Jeff/Jetro) Dale Kerns, 51, of Peru, passed away peacefully, with his sister by his side, at 6:42am on Saturday, July 28, 2018, at Lutheran Hospital, Fort Wayne, IN. His death was the result of a massive stroke.
He was born on June 12, 1967 at Bunker Hill Air Force Base (Grissom Air Reserve Base), Indiana, to Ralph J. and the late Kristi L. (Benner) Kerns.
He graduated from Peru High School in 1986. Most of his adult life, he worked at Miami Trucking Inc., Peru. He started out as a truck driver, then later became a dispatcher in the office. He truly enjoyed his job. He became disabled due to end stage renal disease and was on dialysis. Also, as a result of poorly controlled diabetes, he was a double amputee with failing vision. He always wanted to go back to work, but with his poor health, it was not possible.
Jeff was a die-hard NASCAR fan. Jeff Gordon was his favorite driver. He would travel to different races and camp out with his friends before the race. He also loved to play pool. Even though he was in a wheelchair, that didn’t stop him from playing. He played in several pool tournaments and won many awards.
He was one who could find humor in every situation, constantly making jokes (sometimes inappropriate ones) and bringing smiles and laughter to those surrounding him. He made many friends with the patients/staff of Fresenius Kidney Care and St. Vincent Physical & Sports Therapy, Peru. He was quite fond of some of the friendships he acquired from living at Eastwood Place apartment building. Jeff was great at giving advice and would help anyone that he could, always being generous with whatever he could offer.
He is survived by his father, Ralph J. Kerns and his step-mother, Shirley (Moseley) Kerns, Peru, his sister, Jennifer (Glenn) Townsend, Peru, his grandmother, Etta (Boyd) Kerns, Rochester, IN, his nephews, Luke and Owen Townsend, Peru, his niece, Ashlee (Justin) Klempner and great niece and nephews, Ava, Nolan, and Archie Klempner, Montpelier, OH. He is also survived by his loving aunt and uncle, Terry and Judy Alley, Peru, and cousins, Becky Blanton, Peru, and Cathy (Mark) Hardwick, Yorktown, IN. Along with several more 2nd and 3rd cousins.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Kristi L. (Benner) Kerns, and grandparents, Dale and Vivian (Cotterman) Yoder, Richard Benner, and Ralph L. Kerns.
Visitation will be held from 4pm – 6pm on Friday, August 3, 2018 at Flowers-Leedy Funeral Home, 105 West Third Street, Peru, Indiana. A memorial service will follow at 6pm, with Pastor Rod Correll officiating. Love offerings may be made to the family through the funeral home.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Flowers-Leedy Funeral Home. Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at www.FlowersLeedyAllen.com.