Josephine Kernan

Josephine J. “Jo” Kernan, 88, of Aledo, Illinois, died Tuesday, August 10, 2021 at Amber Ridge Memory Care in Moline. Services are at 1:00 p.m. Friday, August 13th at Fippinger Funeral Home in Aledo.  Burial is in the Aledo Cemetery.  Visitation is 10:00 a.m. until the time of services at Fippinger’s.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the 1st Baptist Church of Aledo.  Online condolences may be made at www.fippingerfuneralhome.com.

She was born June 18, 1933 in Allston, MA to Arthur and Helen (Redden) Beck. Jo married Paul D. Kernan Sr. June 11, 1950 in Allston while Paul was serving in the U.S. Navy. They moved to Aledo when Paul was discharged in 1952.  Paul passed away November 25, 2013.

Besides being an excellent seamstress and talented artist, Jo worked in various jobs in the Aledo area including The Needle’s Eye, The Carpet Stable, Dr. Ford Optometry and Village Interiors. She also served as a Tour Guide for Tri-State Tours.  Jo served as a secretary at the Aledo Methodist Church and later became very active in the 1st Baptist Church of Aledo. There she served on numerous committees, taught Sunday School and loved singing in the Choir.

Jo was very active in local politics alongside her husband. She participated in the Young Republicans and helped organize the first Republican BBQ in Central Park. Over the years, her fondest memories were the times she spent with “The Bummers” group.

Surviving are her children: Linda (Jerry) Jensen of Kentwood, MI, Cindy (Eric) Baker of Edgerton, WI, Dean (Lindi) Kernan of Alpha, IL, Jodi (Rick) Ringle of Fox Lake, IL, Jayni (Randy) Weber of Silvis, IL, many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, one sister, Martha Pulsifer Hall of California, brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Charles “Logan” and Ella Luallen, sister-in-law, Joyce Kernan, all of Aledo, IL; many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents, brothers: Arthur Jr, Oliver, William, Ralph, grandson: David Jensen, granddaughter: Christen Lynn Ringle, great-granddaughter: Maize Kernan, and great-grandson: John-Michael Dean Perry.