PENDLETON, Ind. — Maynard W Kerns, 88, of Pendleton, passed away Thursday afternoon, Nov. 14, 2024, at his daughter Teryl’s home/his former Back 40 Homestead, surrounded by his family. 

He was born on May 26, 1936, in Van Wert, Ohio, the son of the late Walter Joseph Kerns and Marie Belle (Opelt) Kerns. On Sept. 20, 1958, he married Patricia Lou (Reynolds) Kerns who preceded him in death on Dec, 17, 2020.

Family survivors include four daughters, Tamela (Mark) Dawson of Pendleton, Teryl (Richard) Martin of Marion, Indiana, Tonetta Benbow (Dennis Donnay) of Fort Wayne, Indiana, and Tricia (Allen) McPherson of Batesville, Indiana; 11 grandchildren, Matthew (Anna) Dawson of Noblesville, Indiana, Michael (Hannah) Dawson of Greenfield, Indiana, Meghan Dawson of Greenfield, Tyler Martin (Josh Tillman) of San Diego, California, Tanner (Alyce) Martin of Fort Wayne, Phillip Benbow of Fort Wayne, Tiffany Benbow (Tyler Thompson Sr.) of Fort Wayne, Teanna Benbow (Matt Matiya) of Huntertown, Indiana, Allen (Michelle) McPherson Jr. of Los Angeles, California, Alaina (Christian) Halbur of Dawsonville, Georgia, and Alexander McPherson of Tucson, Arizona; 15 great-grandchildren, Neveah, Zander, Autumn, Zailynn, Amirrah, Zane, Tyler Jr., Zurri, Zaiden, Zia, Zoe, Brielle, Cassidy, Celine, and Lucas.

Maynard was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Evelyn Marie Arrington; and two grandchildren, Taylor Lee Martin and Preston Lee Martin.

He retired from G. M. Fisher Body in 1995 where he was the certified public accountant for 39 years. Maynard graduated from Van Del High School and Fort Wayne International Business College. He loved farming and checking crop prices. Maynard was avid Tampa Bay Rays, Ohio State Buckeyes, and Cincinnati Reds Fan. He especially loved spending time in Madeira Beach and enjoying the good seafood and key lime pie. Maynard was the proud father of four daughters who he referred to them as his princesses and they would lovingly call him the “King of the House.”

There will be visitation hours on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024, at Cowan & Son Funeral Home, Van Wert from 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. Funeral services will be on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024, at 11 a.m. with one hour of calling ahead of services. Pastor Dr. Thomas Kinnan of the Good Shepherd Ministries will officiate. Interment will take place at the Gardens of Memory in Marion, Indiana.

Preferred memorials are to the Parkinson Disease Association.

Expressions of sympathy may be forwarded at cowanfuneralhome.com, Tribute Wall.