Joseph "Joe" Lee Kern, 38, of Shiloh, Ill., was called home on October 22, 2022, after a 9-year battle with brain cancer. Joe was born at Scott Air Force Base on November 25, 1983.

Joe is survived by his son, Cody (15) and daughter, Tinley (10), along with a bonus daughter, Caitlin Roberts; parents Wes & Brenda (nee Chambers) Kern, brother Robert (Kelly) Kern; nephews Chase & Blaine and nieces Hailee & Kallee.

He enjoyed watching his children grow and develop. Joe was a proud Dad to his children who will carry on his legacy; and a little of his personality lives on with them.

Joe worked for American Water, a job he loved and to which he was eager to return. He also worked for the Village of Marine, SAIA Freight and the Village of Swansea. He always enjoyed working and said that each job taught him something new. When he moved on, he hated leaving behind co-workers since they had all become friends.

Joe was curious; some would have called him the "Jack of All Trades" or a "Closet Nerd." He was known to research just to gain additional knowledge on random subjects, which he would then use to help family and friends. He was the type of person you could ask how to fix anything, and he would know how—often dropping everything to lend a hand. That is what made him so unique.

Joe enjoyed the outdoors. He loved hunting, fishing, target shooting, and grilling. He loved vehicles of any kind and had a knack for fixing them. He was sentimental and chose to keep his old ones running rather than buy a newer one.

Joe was a go-with-the-flow person who enjoyed the simple life. He had a great sense of humor. You would immediately know he liked you if he tried to get under your skin in a fun-loving way.

Joe became an inspirational role model with his positive attitude from the first day he was diagnosed with cancer. Never once did he complain because that's just who he was. His optimism, spirit, and effort to fight until he could not fight anymore, was inspiring. He always said, "I woke up today; nothing could beat that." All of us that knew him will use his strength as an example, no matter what we must face in the future.

Above all else, he was not only a son, brother, father, or uncle; he was always a great person to be around and will live on in our memories. It seems you can never totally describe in a few words what a person means to the people they knew. A good friend of Joe's summed him up well when he said, "My friend was one of the good guys. He was a friend to all he met and loyal, beyond a fault, to those he cared for. He will be greatly missed."

Joe's Celebration of Life will be held from 11:00 am – 2 pm on Saturday, October 29, 2022, at Wolfersberger Funeral Home, O'Fallon, Ill. There will be an open mike beginning at 1 pm for those that want to share a special memory they have of Joe. Burial will follow at Shiloh Cemetery, Shiloh, Ill. The family asks that you consider donations to help offset the hospital costs.