Joseph Allen Kern, age 71, of Alleghany Health & Rehab, Clifton Forge, Virginia and formerly of Commercial Avenue, Clifton Forge, died Wednesday, August 14, 2019 at the Alleghany Health and Rehab.

Joe was born May 25, 1948 in Clifton Forge to the late Curtis Durward Kern and Elizabeth Liptrap Kern.

He was a 1968 graduate of Clifton Forge High School, where he played football from 1965 – 68. He was inducted into the Clifton Forge Alumni Hall of Fame last year. He was an iron worker for 35 years for various construction companies, and enjoyed hunting and fishing.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, William Kern, Thomas Kern, and Curtis D. Kern, Jr., and a sister, Jean Thurston.

He is survived by his wife, Dawn Curtis Kern of Buena Vista; a daughter, Shannon Lynn Kern and a son, Jody Allen, both of Clifton Forge; three sisters, Brenda Lynn Kern and husband, Archie of Irvona, PA, Patricia Cumor and husband, Roland of Naples, FL, and Jeanette Hartzler-Heidebreckt and husband, George of Alberta, Canada; a brother, Raymond Lewis Kern of Salem; a granddaughter, Lexy Kern; a great granddaughter, Isabelle Powell of Verona; an uncle, Freddie Liptrap of Vinton; and a number of nieces and nephews.

By his personal request, his body has been cremated and there will be no viewing or services.

Nicely Funeral Home, Clifton Forge, is handling arrangements for the family.

The family suggests memorial tributes take the form of contributions to Mountain Regional Hospice Volunteers, P.O. Box 637, Clifton Forge, VA 24422.

To send condolences to the family online, please visit www.nicelyfuneralhome.com.