Philip E. Kern
Phil especially cherished time with his family.
A memorial service will be held from the Clyde W. Kraft Funeral Home, Inc. 519 Walnut St. Columbia PA on Wednesday, October 21, 2026 at 3:00 p.m.
There will be no public viewing, however the family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.
Interment will be held at the convenience of the family in Laurel Hill Memorial Gardens.
Philip E. Kern, 72, of Elizabethtown, passed unexpectedly of natural causes on Thursday, October 15, 2026. He was the husband of Sharon Sherk Kern with whom they would have celebrated 42 years of marriage this October 20th. Born in Norristown, PA he was the son of the late Jesse F. and Elizabeth Bowman Kern and graduated from Methacton High School in 1972 and Elizabethtown College earning his associate degree in accounting.
Phil worked as a CPA for 40 years, beginning his career at Dale B. Martin and retiring from the Walz Group in 2024 after 19 years of service. He was a member of St. Paul’s Church in Elizabethtown and a student at the Elizabethtown Kung Fu Center, where he earned his black belt on October 3rd. He was also an avid cyclist in earlier years. Phil especially cherished time with his family. He enjoyed sharing in his son Joe’s high school and college years, attending countless music events. In later years, they enjoyed watching movies together, discussing upcoming Star Wars and Lord of the Rings projects. Phil and Sharon also traveled to Kansas to visit Joe and his family.
In addition to his wife, Phil is survived by his son, Joseph M. Kern, husband of Stacy; his beloved grandsons, Finn, Adam, and Colin; and his brother, Charles R. Kern, husband of Wendi.
A memorial service will be held from the Clyde W. Kraft Funeral Home, Inc. 519 Walnut St. Columbia PA on Wednesday, October 21, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. with the Rev. John P. Marcott, officiating. Interment will be held at the convenience of the family in Laurel Hill Memorial Gardens. There will be no public viewing, however the family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.
Kindly omit flowers. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to the Lancaster S.P.C.A.
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