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Wynantskill-Ernest L. Kern “Ernie”, 89 passed away on January 10, 2026 at Samaritan Hospital.
He was the son to the late Leo Kern and Edna Lucas Kern and the loving husband of Sheila Kern.
Ernie was raised and educated in Cohoes; he graduated from Cohoes High School. He served in the United States Army National Guard. He was a machinist for the Times Union from 1962 to his retirement.
He was a proud member of the North Greenbush Town Council from 2006 to 2010. Ernie was a member of the Rensselaer Elks, where he volunteered at Bingo. He was an usher at St. Jude The Apostle Church where he also volunteered at Bingo. Ernie enjoyed bowling and was a member of the Bowling Hall of Fame. He was a bowling league member at Uncle Sam Bowl and the Cohoes Bowling Senior League.
In addition to his wife Sheila, he is survived by his son John Kern and several nieces and nephews.
Ernie was predeceased by his son James Kern, his brother George Kern and sister-in-law Marilyn Kern.
Family and friends are invited and may call on Wednesday January 14, 2026, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the Wynantskill Funeral Home 294 Whiteview Road, Wynantskill. Funeral mass will be celebrated at 9:30 am on Thursday January 15, 2026 at St. Michael the Archangel Church, 175 Williams Road, Troy. Burial to follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Troy. Memorial donations in memorial of Ernie may be made to American Cancer Society or American Diabetes Association.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Ernest Leo Kern, please visit our floral store.
American Cancer Society
P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City OK 73123
Tel: 1-800-227-2345
Web: https://donate3.cancer.org