Thomas Grady, now serving on the same court, said Kerns “was recognized for the fairness of his decisions and the fact that everyone who ever met him truly liked him. He was an outstanding judge and human being.”
Born Sept. 22, 1922, in Champaign County, Kerns was decorated for heroism during World War II after carrying three wounded members of his squad to safety during combat in Germany.
A graduate of the University of Cincinnati College of Law, he was 26 in 1951 when he was appointed the youngest probate and juvenile court judge in the state. He became the lone Democrat holding countywide office in Champaign County when he then was elected to that judgeship.
Kerns was 36 in 1959 when he became the youngest appeals court judge in Ohio. He served as chief justice of Courts of Appeals in Ohio from 1969-71, as chairman of the Ohio Judiciary Conference from 1972-74, and was appointed by four chief justices of the Ohio Supreme Court to participate in 150 cases.
He also filed petitions to run for the Ohio Supreme Court in March of 1980 but withdrew the next month, saying “an effective statewide campaign against a name candidate and without party endorsement will require more contributions and solicitations in more substantial amounts than I feel should be accepted on behalf of an incumbent judge of the court of appeals.”
He was sworn in as presiding judge of the Second District Court of Appeals Jan. 25, 1983, and announced in 1987 that he would not seek re-election after finishing his fifth six-year term.
Kerns said the appeals court business changed over his years in office.
“Society has become more contentious and uncompromising during the last generation, and as a result this court must deal with an inordinate number of frivolous appeals.”
Kerns was active in Champaign County civic projects, helping to found the Champaign County Nursing Home and the Citizens Scholarship Fund; serving as trustee of Mercy Memorial Hospital and president of the Cancer Society and the Christian Messenger Society; chairing the Child Welfare Board; and serving as trustee of the Urbana Fireman’s Pension Fund and on the executive board of the Tecumseh Council Boy Scouts of America.
He also was active in St. Mary Catholic Church of Urbana, where a funeral Mass will begin at 10 a.m. Tuesday with graveside services following in Urbana’s Oakdale Cemetery. Survivors include, Peggy, his wife of 63 years; five children, including attorney Mark Kerns, who practices in Springfield and Columbus; and seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. No visitation is scheduled.
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