Iva Jean Kern, age 84, passed away on Monday, March 30, 2026 at the Clark Memorial Hospital in Jeffersonville, IN.  She was the loving wife of Robert E. Kern for 58 years before his passing on February 7, 2017.  Born in Ridley Park, PA, she was the daughter of the late Robert J. And Catherine Ruth Neuhauser Hoar.  Jean held many different jobs throughout her life.  She was particularly proud of being a secretary for the University of Delaware in the admissions office and she worked at Mona's Health Food Store for over 25 years until she retired.  Jean loved to travel.  Her favorite places to travel were San Francisco, British Columbia and Canada.  She and her sister Janie were best friends throughout their lives and would frequently travel together to San Francisco, Hawaii and Las Vegas.  She loved spending time with her family and friends and also spent her life surrounded by various dogs and cats.  In 2024, Jean moved from Wilmington, DE out to Jeffersonville, IN.  She was a resident of Riverbend Assisted Living where she had many friends.  Surviving her is a son; RJ, husband of Bethany Zwald Kern of Jeffersonville, IN.  She was preceded in death by 3 children; Daniel R. Kern, partner of Alan Smick, Matthew E. Kern, and Misty Kern, partner of Ron Treacy, and her sister, Janie Weible.

A funeral service will take place at Shivery Funeral Home, 111 Elizabeth Street, Christiana, PA on Thursday, April 9th at 11 a.m. with a viewing time from 10 a.m. until the time of service.  Interment will be in the Bellevue Presbyterian Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Jean's honor to Forgotten Cats, 4023 Kennett Pike, Suite 422, Greenville, DE 19807.