Helen I. (Tillery) Kerns

Helen Irene Kerns earned her wings to fly on Sunday, July 25, 2021. She passed away at Miller’s Merry Manor following a brief illness. Helen was the youngest child of Lee and Zada Tillery. Born June 9, 1934, she was the only one to be born on Tillery Hill in French Lick, IN . She graduated from French Lick High School in 1952. On November 21, 1953, she married Jerry Lee Kerns. As they honeymooned in northern Indiana, they actually passed through Peru. Ten years later jerry’s construction job brought them back to Peru to stay. She demanded they stay put for the sake of their children’s education and he could drive. And so he did. They had two children, Barry of Yorba Linda, CA and Tyra (Jim) Walker, Peru. She had two grandchildren Jenny(Jacob) B0wman and Joshua (Sunny) Walker that she adored. And she cherished her great-grandchildren, Gavin, Jacob and Jacoby Bowman. Helen was the ultimate stay-at-home Mom of the 60s and 70s. Always available for room mother assignments, PTA or running kids to practices. When the reservoir opened in the late 60s, she was the “ best Mom” of the 3rd street neighborhood because she would take us out to the beach to swim. She was an avid sports fan following the Pacers, Colts and Pittsburgh Pirates. And lover of many, many dogs. She was a member of the Main Street Methodist Church for over 50 years. She was a true Republican – her father would have it no other way. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and siblings, Mary, Charles, Norman, Edward and Ruth. Visitation will be Thursday, July 29, 2021 from 11:00 A.M. to 2:00P.M. at the Eikenberry-Eddy Funeral Home, 84 West Main Street, Peru. Memorial service will follow with Rev. J. Robert Clark officiating. Private burial will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery. Charitable contributions may be made to Riley’s Children Hospital or St. Jude’s Children Hospital. Special thank you to the nurses and staff at Miller’s Merry Manor. You were a blessing to her and us.

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