The Monroe News-Star.
Saturday, May 8, 1920
Page 1
LOCAL CITIZEN DIES AT HOME THIS MORNING.
JOE KERN PASSES AWAY AT 4:30 O'CLOCK THIS MORNING AFTER BRIEF ILLNESS.
Joe Kern, well-known citizen of Monroe, passed away at his residence on North Third street this morning at 4:30 o'clock after a brief illness.
Mr. Kern was taken ill at his place of business yesterday afternoon and went to his home. Upon reaching the door of his home he was assisted to his room by his sister-in-law. He became unconscious and remained so until death came this morning.
The men from the Monroe Hardware Company and neighbors immediately went to the assistance of Mr. Kern yesterday and a physician was summoned but death resulted from acute indigestion.
Mr. Kern, who was 45 years old, was born in Monroe and had lived here throughout his life. He was a thirty-second degree Mason and Shriner and was a splendid citizen and very popular in the community and a man whose name will be remembered without a blemish.
Surviving him is his wife, who was Miss Clara Block [sic]; two sons, Nathan and Joe, Jr.; one sister, Mrs. Dave Kahn, and one brother, Leon Kern, both of this city.
The funeral will be held tomorrow at 4 o'clock from his late residence. Interment will be made in the Jewish cemetery. The Mason[s] will conduct the services.
Monday, May 17, 1920
Page 6
JOE KERN WAS A REAL MAN, SAYS RABBI FICHMAN.
Words Spoken at the grave of Joe Kern, Sr., May 9, 1920.
IN Shakespeare's great play, Hamlet, speaking of his dead father, says: "He was a man, take him for all in all." These words can fittingly be applied to our departed brother, Joe Kern. In all his relations with his fellow man, in his attitude toward his family, in his business conduct, in the discharge of his duties as a citizen, he was a man. And no higher tribute can we pay any person than to say this of him.
In the death of this man there is a great tragedy. Through a hard life of striving against adverse circumstances he had, by his own strength of will and at the cost of great labor and toil, brought himself to a position where he could begin to enjoy some of the pleasure and ease of living. It seems a cruel fate that just at this period of his life, just when he had reached the years when a man should be in the prime of his mental and bodily strength, he should have been so suddenly cut off. But to those of us who knew him well, and he was well known to many, the tragedy of his untimely death is outweighed by the glory and beauty of his useful life. The great gathering of friends here assembled to pay him the last tribute of affection is an evidence of the esteem and respect in which this man, who walked the humble path of life, was held.
I want to speak of two things that stood out in bold relief in his life. He had two dominant passions: his home and his Masonic affiliation. He and I often talked things over when I would stop for a word with him at his shop. And he used to tell me of the ambitions he had for his boys. They weren't the usual hopes that he boys might become rich and influential. He wanted them to be men, honest, Godfearing, useful men. And he knew that to bring them up to be that sort of men he must be interested in them himself and give them of his time and devotion. So despite a busy and toilsome life, he yet found time and opportunity to be a companion to his boys. Just the day on which he was stricken with his fatal illness, before going back to his place of business after lunch, he had his boys play a game of cards with him. I need not mention his loyalty to the devoted wife of his bosom. May I relate one more incident to show what sort of standard he held up for his boys? At one Atonement Eve service in our synagogue we procured pledges for the Jewish War Sufferers' Fund. His son, Nathan, had signed a card, announcing his contribution. This was of course in addition to a very fine contribution made by Mr. Kern himself. The next morning the boy came to me and asked to have his card back. On receiving it he erased the amount previously subscribed and put in double the amount. On mentioning it to his father several days later I learned that it was at the father's suggestion that the amount of the subscription had been increased. From all that he did and said it was clear that Joe Kern had in relation to his home on high ideal; to be the loyal and loving husband, the devoted, tender, yet just father.
His second passion was his Masonic lodge. If every man were as loyal to his church, if every Mason were as jealous of the honor and welfare of the order as he was, then would this world indeed by as joyous place in which to live. And I know from his own mouth why Masonry meant so much to him. It was not chiefly because of the beauty and richness of the ritual, although that had a great appeal for him, as it must have for every man who loves a fine ritual. It was chiefly because of the things Masonry teaches, that the Order was so dear to his alert. The Masonic insistence upon faith in the fatherhood of God, the communion in the brotherhood of man, its constant emphasis upon the law of love and righteousness as a guide for human conduct, these appealed to his own innate sense of righteousness and charity. Whenever the need of a distressed brother was brought to his attention, he was always ready to five of his time, money, and personal service, no matter how pressing might be his own personal affairs. To him brotherly love meant something more than merely talking about it. It meant action. It meant the doing of the deed of friendliness and helpfulness. Because he was a good, Godfearing, charitable Jew, because his conduct as well as his speech proclaimed his faith in all that is fine, and noble and humane, he was the ideal Mason, the loyal Jew, the true American. "He was a man, take him for all in all." Tho we mourn his loss; tho our heart goes out in sympathy to his bereaved widow and orphans, yet we thank God that he was vouchsafed as this example of a manly, Godfearing, useful life.
Saturday, May 8, 1920
Page 1
LOCAL CITIZEN DIES AT HOME THIS MORNING.
JOE KERN PASSES AWAY AT 4:30 O'CLOCK THIS MORNING AFTER BRIEF ILLNESS.
Joe Kern, well-known citizen of Monroe, passed away at his residence on North Third street this morning at 4:30 o'clock after a brief illness.
Mr. Kern was taken ill at his place of business yesterday afternoon and went to his home. Upon reaching the door of his home he was assisted to his room by his sister-in-law. He became unconscious and remained so until death came this morning.
The men from the Monroe Hardware Company and neighbors immediately went to the assistance of Mr. Kern yesterday and a physician was summoned but death resulted from acute indigestion.
Mr. Kern, who was 45 years old, was born in Monroe and had lived here throughout his life. He was a thirty-second degree Mason and Shriner and was a splendid citizen and very popular in the community and a man whose name will be remembered without a blemish.
Surviving him is his wife, who was Miss Clara Block [sic]; two sons, Nathan and Joe, Jr.; one sister, Mrs. Dave Kahn, and one brother, Leon Kern, both of this city.
The funeral will be held tomorrow at 4 o'clock from his late residence. Interment will be made in the Jewish cemetery. The Mason[s] will conduct the services.
Monday, May 17, 1920
Page 6
JOE KERN WAS A REAL MAN, SAYS RABBI FICHMAN.
Words Spoken at the grave of Joe Kern, Sr., May 9, 1920.
IN Shakespeare's great play, Hamlet, speaking of his dead father, says: "He was a man, take him for all in all." These words can fittingly be applied to our departed brother, Joe Kern. In all his relations with his fellow man, in his attitude toward his family, in his business conduct, in the discharge of his duties as a citizen, he was a man. And no higher tribute can we pay any person than to say this of him.
In the death of this man there is a great tragedy. Through a hard life of striving against adverse circumstances he had, by his own strength of will and at the cost of great labor and toil, brought himself to a position where he could begin to enjoy some of the pleasure and ease of living. It seems a cruel fate that just at this period of his life, just when he had reached the years when a man should be in the prime of his mental and bodily strength, he should have been so suddenly cut off. But to those of us who knew him well, and he was well known to many, the tragedy of his untimely death is outweighed by the glory and beauty of his useful life. The great gathering of friends here assembled to pay him the last tribute of affection is an evidence of the esteem and respect in which this man, who walked the humble path of life, was held.
I want to speak of two things that stood out in bold relief in his life. He had two dominant passions: his home and his Masonic affiliation. He and I often talked things over when I would stop for a word with him at his shop. And he used to tell me of the ambitions he had for his boys. They weren't the usual hopes that he boys might become rich and influential. He wanted them to be men, honest, Godfearing, useful men. And he knew that to bring them up to be that sort of men he must be interested in them himself and give them of his time and devotion. So despite a busy and toilsome life, he yet found time and opportunity to be a companion to his boys. Just the day on which he was stricken with his fatal illness, before going back to his place of business after lunch, he had his boys play a game of cards with him. I need not mention his loyalty to the devoted wife of his bosom. May I relate one more incident to show what sort of standard he held up for his boys? At one Atonement Eve service in our synagogue we procured pledges for the Jewish War Sufferers' Fund. His son, Nathan, had signed a card, announcing his contribution. This was of course in addition to a very fine contribution made by Mr. Kern himself. The next morning the boy came to me and asked to have his card back. On receiving it he erased the amount previously subscribed and put in double the amount. On mentioning it to his father several days later I learned that it was at the father's suggestion that the amount of the subscription had been increased. From all that he did and said it was clear that Joe Kern had in relation to his home on high ideal; to be the loyal and loving husband, the devoted, tender, yet just father.
His second passion was his Masonic lodge. If every man were as loyal to his church, if every Mason were as jealous of the honor and welfare of the order as he was, then would this world indeed by as joyous place in which to live. And I know from his own mouth why Masonry meant so much to him. It was not chiefly because of the beauty and richness of the ritual, although that had a great appeal for him, as it must have for every man who loves a fine ritual. It was chiefly because of the things Masonry teaches, that the Order was so dear to his alert. The Masonic insistence upon faith in the fatherhood of God, the communion in the brotherhood of man, its constant emphasis upon the law of love and righteousness as a guide for human conduct, these appealed to his own innate sense of righteousness and charity. Whenever the need of a distressed brother was brought to his attention, he was always ready to five of his time, money, and personal service, no matter how pressing might be his own personal affairs. To him brotherly love meant something more than merely talking about it. It meant action. It meant the doing of the deed of friendliness and helpfulness. Because he was a good, Godfearing, charitable Jew, because his conduct as well as his speech proclaimed his faith in all that is fine, and noble and humane, he was the ideal Mason, the loyal Jew, the true American. "He was a man, take him for all in all." Tho we mourn his loss; tho our heart goes out in sympathy to his bereaved widow and orphans, yet we thank God that he was vouchsafed as this example of a manly, Godfearing, useful life.
The Monroe News-Star.
Saturday, May 8, 1920
Page 1
LOCAL CITIZEN DIES AT HOME THIS MORNING.
JOE KERN PASSES AWAY AT 4:30 O'CLOCK THIS MORNING AFTER BRIEF ILLNESS.
Joe Kern, well-known citizen of Monroe, passed away at his residence on North Third street this morning at 4:30 o'clock after a brief illness.
Mr. Kern was taken ill at his place of business yesterday afternoon and went to his home. Upon reaching the door of his home he was assisted to his room by his sister-in-law. He became unconscious and remained so until death came this morning.
The men from the Monroe Hardware Company and neighbors immediately went to the assistance of Mr. Kern yesterday and a physician was summoned but death resulted from acute indigestion.
Mr. Kern, who was 45 years old, was born in Monroe and had lived here throughout his life. He was a thirty-second degree Mason and Shriner and was a splendid citizen and very popular in the community and a man whose name will be remembered without a blemish.
Surviving him is his wife, who was Miss Clara Block [sic]; two sons, Nathan and Joe, Jr.; one sister, Mrs. Dave Kahn, and one brother, Leon Kern, both of this city.
The funeral will be held tomorrow at 4 o'clock from his late residence. Interment will be made in the Jewish cemetery. The Mason[s] will conduct the services.
Monday, May 17, 1920
Page 6
JOE KERN WAS A REAL MAN, SAYS RABBI FICHMAN.
Words Spoken at the grave of Joe Kern, Sr., May 9, 1920.
IN Shakespeare's great play, Hamlet, speaking of his dead father, says: "He was a man, take him for all in all." These words can fittingly be applied to our departed brother, Joe Kern. In all his relations with his fellow man, in his attitude toward his family, in his business conduct, in the discharge of his duties as a citizen, he was a man. And no higher tribute can we pay any person than to say this of him.
In the death of this man there is a great tragedy. Through a hard life of striving against adverse circumstances he had, by his own strength of will and at the cost of great labor and toil, brought himself to a position where he could begin to enjoy some of the pleasure and ease of living. It seems a cruel fate that just at this period of his life, just when he had reached the years when a man should be in the prime of his mental and bodily strength, he should have been so suddenly cut off. But to those of us who knew him well, and he was well known to many, the tragedy of his untimely death is outweighed by the glory and beauty of his useful life. The great gathering of friends here assembled to pay him the last tribute of affection is an evidence of the esteem and respect in which this man, who walked the humble path of life, was held.
I want to speak of two things that stood out in bold relief in his life. He had two dominant passions: his home and his Masonic affiliation. He and I often talked things over when I would stop for a word with him at his shop. And he used to tell me of the ambitions he had for his boys. They weren't the usual hopes that he boys might become rich and influential. He wanted them to be men, honest, Godfearing, useful men. And he knew that to bring them up to be that sort of men he must be interested in them himself and give them of his time and devotion. So despite a busy and toilsome life, he yet found time and opportunity to be a companion to his boys. Just the day on which he was stricken with his fatal illness, before going back to his place of business after lunch, he had his boys play a game of cards with him. I need not mention his loyalty to the devoted wife of his bosom. May I relate one more incident to show what sort of standard he held up for his boys? At one Atonement Eve service in our synagogue we procured pledges for the Jewish War Sufferers' Fund. His son, Nathan, had signed a card, announcing his contribution. This was of course in addition to a very fine contribution made by Mr. Kern himself. The next morning the boy came to me and asked to have his card back. On receiving it he erased the amount previously subscribed and put in double the amount. On mentioning it to his father several days later I learned that it was at the father's suggestion that the amount of the subscription had been increased. From all that he did and said it was clear that Joe Kern had in relation to his home on high ideal; to be the loyal and loving husband, the devoted, tender, yet just father.
His second passion was his Masonic lodge. If every man were as loyal to his church, if every Mason were as jealous of the honor and welfare of the order as he was, then would this world indeed by as joyous place in which to live. And I know from his own mouth why Masonry meant so much to him. It was not chiefly because of the beauty and richness of the ritual, although that had a great appeal for him, as it must have for every man who loves a fine ritual. It was chiefly because of the things Masonry teaches, that the Order was so dear to his alert. The Masonic insistence upon faith in the fatherhood of God, the communion in the brotherhood of man, its constant emphasis upon the law of love and righteousness as a guide for human conduct, these appealed to his own innate sense of righteousness and charity. Whenever the need of a distressed brother was brought to his attention, he was always ready to five of his time, money, and personal service, no matter how pressing might be his own personal affairs. To him brotherly love meant something more than merely talking about it. It meant action. It meant the doing of the deed of friendliness and helpfulness. Because he was a good, Godfearing, charitable Jew, because his conduct as well as his speech proclaimed his faith in all that is fine, and noble and humane, he was the ideal Mason, the loyal Jew, the true American. "He was a man, take him for all in all." Tho we mourn his loss; tho our heart goes out in sympathy to his bereaved widow and orphans, yet we thank God that he was vouchsafed as this example of a manly, Godfearing, useful life.
Saturday, May 8, 1920
Page 1
LOCAL CITIZEN DIES AT HOME THIS MORNING.
JOE KERN PASSES AWAY AT 4:30 O'CLOCK THIS MORNING AFTER BRIEF ILLNESS.
Joe Kern, well-known citizen of Monroe, passed away at his residence on North Third street this morning at 4:30 o'clock after a brief illness.
Mr. Kern was taken ill at his place of business yesterday afternoon and went to his home. Upon reaching the door of his home he was assisted to his room by his sister-in-law. He became unconscious and remained so until death came this morning.
The men from the Monroe Hardware Company and neighbors immediately went to the assistance of Mr. Kern yesterday and a physician was summoned but death resulted from acute indigestion.
Mr. Kern, who was 45 years old, was born in Monroe and had lived here throughout his life. He was a thirty-second degree Mason and Shriner and was a splendid citizen and very popular in the community and a man whose name will be remembered without a blemish.
Surviving him is his wife, who was Miss Clara Block [sic]; two sons, Nathan and Joe, Jr.; one sister, Mrs. Dave Kahn, and one brother, Leon Kern, both of this city.
The funeral will be held tomorrow at 4 o'clock from his late residence. Interment will be made in the Jewish cemetery. The Mason[s] will conduct the services.
Monday, May 17, 1920
Page 6
JOE KERN WAS A REAL MAN, SAYS RABBI FICHMAN.
Words Spoken at the grave of Joe Kern, Sr., May 9, 1920.
IN Shakespeare's great play, Hamlet, speaking of his dead father, says: "He was a man, take him for all in all." These words can fittingly be applied to our departed brother, Joe Kern. In all his relations with his fellow man, in his attitude toward his family, in his business conduct, in the discharge of his duties as a citizen, he was a man. And no higher tribute can we pay any person than to say this of him.
In the death of this man there is a great tragedy. Through a hard life of striving against adverse circumstances he had, by his own strength of will and at the cost of great labor and toil, brought himself to a position where he could begin to enjoy some of the pleasure and ease of living. It seems a cruel fate that just at this period of his life, just when he had reached the years when a man should be in the prime of his mental and bodily strength, he should have been so suddenly cut off. But to those of us who knew him well, and he was well known to many, the tragedy of his untimely death is outweighed by the glory and beauty of his useful life. The great gathering of friends here assembled to pay him the last tribute of affection is an evidence of the esteem and respect in which this man, who walked the humble path of life, was held.
I want to speak of two things that stood out in bold relief in his life. He had two dominant passions: his home and his Masonic affiliation. He and I often talked things over when I would stop for a word with him at his shop. And he used to tell me of the ambitions he had for his boys. They weren't the usual hopes that he boys might become rich and influential. He wanted them to be men, honest, Godfearing, useful men. And he knew that to bring them up to be that sort of men he must be interested in them himself and give them of his time and devotion. So despite a busy and toilsome life, he yet found time and opportunity to be a companion to his boys. Just the day on which he was stricken with his fatal illness, before going back to his place of business after lunch, he had his boys play a game of cards with him. I need not mention his loyalty to the devoted wife of his bosom. May I relate one more incident to show what sort of standard he held up for his boys? At one Atonement Eve service in our synagogue we procured pledges for the Jewish War Sufferers' Fund. His son, Nathan, had signed a card, announcing his contribution. This was of course in addition to a very fine contribution made by Mr. Kern himself. The next morning the boy came to me and asked to have his card back. On receiving it he erased the amount previously subscribed and put in double the amount. On mentioning it to his father several days later I learned that it was at the father's suggestion that the amount of the subscription had been increased. From all that he did and said it was clear that Joe Kern had in relation to his home on high ideal; to be the loyal and loving husband, the devoted, tender, yet just father.
His second passion was his Masonic lodge. If every man were as loyal to his church, if every Mason were as jealous of the honor and welfare of the order as he was, then would this world indeed by as joyous place in which to live. And I know from his own mouth why Masonry meant so much to him. It was not chiefly because of the beauty and richness of the ritual, although that had a great appeal for him, as it must have for every man who loves a fine ritual. It was chiefly because of the things Masonry teaches, that the Order was so dear to his alert. The Masonic insistence upon faith in the fatherhood of God, the communion in the brotherhood of man, its constant emphasis upon the law of love and righteousness as a guide for human conduct, these appealed to his own innate sense of righteousness and charity. Whenever the need of a distressed brother was brought to his attention, he was always ready to five of his time, money, and personal service, no matter how pressing might be his own personal affairs. To him brotherly love meant something more than merely talking about it. It meant action. It meant the doing of the deed of friendliness and helpfulness. Because he was a good, Godfearing, charitable Jew, because his conduct as well as his speech proclaimed his faith in all that is fine, and noble and humane, he was the ideal Mason, the loyal Jew, the true American. "He was a man, take him for all in all." Tho we mourn his loss; tho our heart goes out in sympathy to his bereaved widow and orphans, yet we thank God that he was vouchsafed as this example of a manly, Godfearing, useful life.
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