(Co-Founder Of Swanton Welding & Machining)
Shirley Jeanne Kern, age 97, of Liberty Center, Ohio, peacefully passed away Friday evening, October 24, 2025, at the Henry County Hospital under the compassionate care of Elara Hospice.
She was born on December 30, 1927, in Napoleon, Ohio, to Ivan “Gunny” Burgoon and Vera (Weakley) Burgoon.
Shirley was a graduate of Liberty Center High School. On April 6, 1946, she married the love of her life, Emery George Kern, and together they were blessed with two daughters, Linda and Connie.
Shirley worked as a bank teller with F&M Bank in Swanton alongside serving as a bookkeeper for her and her husband’s business; Swanton Welding and Machining, which they founded in 1956.
Through their faith in the Lord, perseverance, loyalty, and hard work, the company grew and has continued to thrive across generations of family. She and her husband will always be remembered for their love and support of Liberty Center athletics, as well as being a huge Michigan Wolverines fan.
Shirley is survived by her daughter, Linda (Robert) Fisher of Swanton; grandchildren, Kelly Bazile, Norm (Sarrah) Zeiter, Kendra (Rick) Roell, Ryan (Carly) Zeiter, Robert (Jenny) Fisher, Gwen (Bill) Colyer and Matthew (Ashley) Fisher; great-grandchildren, Bella and Blaiss Bazile, Constance, Kennedy, Hope, and Emery Roell, and Meredith, Zane, Elizabeth, Zander, Aubree, and Brinley Zeiter, Emily (Joe) DeMarchi, Ethan and Aiden Fisher, Will and Ben Colyer, Maddix and Morgen Fisher; great-great-grandchild, Selah Rupp; as well as many nieces, nephews, and dear friends.
In addition to her parents, Shirley was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 69 years, E. George Kern, on August 27, 2015; daughter, Constance “Connie” Zeiter, on September 18, 2025; grandson, Ricky Roell, on July 13, 2010; sister, Marilyn Walborn and son-in-law, Norman Zeiter, on May 1, 2014.
Private services will be held with interment alongside her husband at Shiloh Cemetery in Delta. Arrangements are entrusted to Barnes Funeral Chapel and Crematory, 5825 State Highway 109, Delta.
Those wishing to express sympathy are asked to consider a memorial contribution to Liberty Center Athletic Boosters, P.O Box 23, Liberty Center, Ohio 43532, Tigers Sports Live, 710 East Street, Liberty Center, Ohio 43532 or Liberty Center VFW #6596, P.O Box 164, Liberty Center, Ohio in her memory.
A special thank you to Sandy Smith for her loving care during Shirley last years and Dr. Perkins and the staff at the Henry County Hospital for their compassionate support during her stay. Online condolences may be sent to the family through the funeral home’s website at www.barnesfuneralchapel.com