Venita Kern – Whittington

Venita F. Kern, 93, of Whittington passed away Sunday night, December 31, 2017 surrounded by her family.

She was born in Whittington, IL on September 18, 1924, the daughter of William C. & Iva (McCann) Baxter.

She married Edgar Griffen on April 3, 1948, and he died on August 28, 1963. She then married Etherd Kern on May 29, 1970, and he died on April 9, 1980.

Mrs. Kern had worked as a cook at Whittington Grade School for several years.  She worked at Burton’s Cafe for many years and managed the cafe for a couple of those years. Then she retired from the Dietary Department at Franklin Hospital.

Mrs. Kern was a faithful member of the Rescue Free Will Baptist Church since 1938, and served as church Treasurer for several of those years.  She also worked the at the Tuesday School at Rescue since it began.

She is survived by her niece Loma Baxter of Whittington, great niece Traci Kelley and husband Marty of Whittington, three great-great nephews, Daylon, Jace and Lane Kelley; step-sister Barbara Lemons of Mt. Vernon; step-daugter Melba Unitis and husband Edward of Huntersville, NC; and step-niece Cindy Wisniewski.

Mrs. Kern was preceded in death by her Parents, Husbands, by a Brother-Charles W. Baxter, by a Sister and Brother-in-law-Wanda Lee and Victor Crowder;  and by a nephew, Charles M. Baxter.

Funeral servicves will be held at 2:00 P.M. Sunday, January 7, 2018 at the Rescue Free Will Baptist Church in Whittington with Rev. Bryant Harris officiating. Burial will be in the Williams Chapel Cemetery in Ewing. Visitation will be from 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Saturday at the Morton and Johnston Funeral Home in Benton, and after 1:00 P.M. on Sunday at the Church.

In lieu of Flowers, Memorials may be made to the Rescue Free Will Baptist Church.

For more information or to sign the online guest register please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com