Ralph Kerns Obituary

Ralph Daniel Kerns, age 83, went home to meet his Lord on Friday afternoon, August 15, 2025, surrounded by his wife and family at WV Caring Hospice Center in Elkins. He was born on January 6, 1942, at Sully, WV, son of the late Nathaniel Wilson Kerns and Freda Marie Nelson Kerns Smith. Ralph was a graduate of Harman High School with the class of 1958. On April 24, 1965, he married the former Mary Ann Pfau at the Davis Memorial Presbyterian Church in Elkins, WV. Mr. Kerns was employed at Randolph Builders Supply, Labcraft, Elkins Industries and he along with his brother James, owned and operated Laurel Mountain and Mountain State Dimensions in the late 1990s. Ralph was a member of the Wayside United Methodist Church for 43 years. At the church he enjoyed being a member of the Wayside Men's Chorus and the Men's Group of the church. Ralph was a founding member of the Gospel Singing Group, "I'm Free" and he and the group traveled each week to a different Elkins area nursing home to minister in music to the residents. He enjoyed playing the fiddle, mandolin and guitar, and singing even though he did not read music. Ralph loved drinking his black coffee and watching the old western TV shows and movies.

He was a member of the US Army National Guard Battery A, 1st Battalion, 201st Field Artillery, Elkins for 20 years as a vehicle mechanic. One of his assignments that he enjoyed, as a member of the National Guard in the 60s and 70s, was getting to drive either one of the princess' floats or the queen's float through the MSFF Parade each year.

Prior to a stroke in 2002, Ralph enjoyed hunting and spending time and fellowshipping with the Harman brothers and family at the "deer camp" and also spending time with his brothers at their cabin in Sully, WV. Ralph is survived by his loving wife of 60 years. He is also survived by sister-in-law, Barbara "Jo" Kerns, and several nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and great-great-nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death, besides his parents, were his stepfather, Joseph Smith; two brothers, James Wilson 'Jim' Kerns and Leonard Dale Kerns; and a sister-in-law, Sharyn Kerns.

Ralph's family would like to express their sincere appreciation to the staff of WV Caring Hospice, the Elkins Rehabilitation & Care Center and the current and former staff of Valentine Assisted Living for the amazing care he received.

Friends may call from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm Wednesday, August 20, 2025 at the Tomblyn Funeral Home in Elkins. A funeral service will be held at 7:00 pm Wednesday from the funeral home chapel with Pastors Gary Phillips and John Welch officiating. Interment will take place Thursday, August 21, 2025, at 3 pm at the Maplewood Cemetery in Elkins where full military honors will be accorded at the gravesite by members of the West Virginia National Guard Honor Guard Program, H.W. Daniels Post 29 American Legion and Tygart Valley Post 3647 Veterans of Foreign Wars. The family request memorial contributions be made to Wayside United Methodist Church, c/o Barbara Simmons, 985 Isner Creek Road, Elkins, WV 26241 in memory of Ralph. The Tomblyn Funeral Home of Elkins is in charge of the arrangements for Ralph Daniel Kerns. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.tomblynfuneralhome.com.