Ruby F. Kern, 92, formerly of Scotland, PA, went to be with her Lord on Thursday August 29, 2013 at Transitions Healthcare, Gettysburg, PA. Born October 26, 1920 in Ono, PA, she was a daughter of the late Herman Dittmer and Sarah Elizabeth Wonder Allison.
Early in her life, she had worked as a seamstress at sewing factories in Lebanon and Shippensburg. Ruby was actively involved with the churches she attended through the years, serving as organist and Sunday School teacher and was most recently a faithful member of Hope Reformed Presbyterian Church in Shippensburg for the last 20 years. She was also a member of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union for fifteen years, and a weekly women’s Bible Study group for over thirty years. She was an accomplished musician who enjoyed playing the organ, piano, accordion, guitar, and trumpet.
She was a dedicated and loving wife and a prayer warrior, praying for her churches, pastors, and many others, especially all of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, for whom she prayed nightly by name. She often said “I’m so thankful for our family. There is no squabbling, we all get along and enjoy being together.” The legacy she leaves for her family includes her wonderful sense of humor and love for her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
An excellent seamstress, her hobbies included sewing and crocheting. She also enjoyed making sand tarts (once 144 dozen), and reading. She loved flowers, especially roses, and took pride in her little rose garden. She kept a daily journal for decades, was a published poet and a “wordsmith” who liked doing crosswords, word puzzles, and playing Scrabble. Her beloved husband, Robert L. Kern, whom she married May 25, 1940, preceded her in death on June 14, 2010.
She is survived by her children: Jay Kern (wife Debra) of Hughesville, MD and Melody Hill (husband Phillip) of Gettysburg, PA; ten grandchildren; and twenty-four great grandchildren, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a son, Rev. Kenneth Kern and his wife, the late Faith Hunter Kern; a daughter-in-law, Karen Hunsberger Kern; and five siblings: F. Forrest Allison, A. Clare Allison, O. Beulah Bush and two infant sisters.
Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 AM Wednesday, September 4, 2013 at the Hope Reformed Presbyterian Church, Shippensburg, PA with her pastor, Rev. Dr. David Fidati, officiating. The family will receive friends 7-9:00 PM Tuesday at the Thomas L. Geisel Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 333 Falling Spring Road, Chambersburg, PA and one hour prior to the service on Wednesday at the church. Interment will be at 2:30 PM Wednesday at Grandview Memorial Park, Cleona, PA.
Memorial contributions may be made in her name to the Hope Reformed Presbyterian Church, 123 Walnut Bottom Road, Shippensburg, PA 17257.