Jack Mckern

Jackie Lew McKern, the son of Howard Glen McKern and Erma Alberta Shirley (Clatterbuck) McKern, was born in Silver City, Iowa on October 24, 1935. Jack lived in Silver City during his early years. The family moved to a farm located between Malvern, Iowa and Randolph, Iowa when Jack was in the seventh grade. He graduated from Randolph school in 1953. In February 1954, he joined the military and served four years in the United States Air Force and then four years in the United States Navy. Jack was proud of his service to his country.
While stationed in the military in California, Jack met Rose Marie Colella. They were married on March 13, 1963 in New Castle, Delaware. They made their home in Delaware and Maryland where Jack was a railroad brakeman for the Pennsylvania Railroad. He later became a truck driver for the Mushroom Transportation Company. In 1996, Jack and Rose returned to Iowa to be close to his family. They moved to Hastings, Iowa and Jack drove a truck for Trively Trucking of Lake Manawa, Iowa. In 2001, they settled on an acreage in Essex, Iowa and Jack retired in 2004, the same year he was diagnosed with cancer. Jack enjoyed spending time with his family, fishing, woodworking, "puttering" in his barn, and playing the slots. He was a member of the 2006 Commanders Club of Disabled American Veterans, American Legion Post 729 of Des Moines, Iowa and a member of the Teamsters for 18 years.
Jack and Rose had been married 43 years at the time of his death on September 2, 2006 at Elm Heights Care Center in Shenandoah, Iowa. He was 70 years, 10 months, and 8 days. Jack was preceded in death by his parents Howard and Erma McKern; brother Howard E. McKern; nephew Bryan McKern; and brother-in-law J.C. David Carter.
Jack is survived by his wife Rose McKern of Essex, IA; sisters Betty J. Seher and husband William of Omaha, NE, and Carol L. Carter of Glenwood, IA; brother Richard G. McKern and wife Kathie of Rulo, NE; sister-in-law Joan McKern of Emerson, IA; nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.