Gail A. Kern

Gail A. Kern, 84, of Mahanoy City, passed away on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at Providence Place in Pottsville.

Born at the former Locust Mountain Hospital in Shenandoah on January 7, 1942, she was the daughter of the late Robert and Anna (Thompson) Richards.

Gail was a 1959 graduate of the former Mahanoy City High School.  She worked for 29 years as a teacher’s aide for Child Development in Mahanoy City until her retirement. 

She was a lifelong devoted member of St. Paul’s UCC in Mahanoy City.  She served on the Elk’s Lodge Auxiliary for many years.  Gail loved cheering on her Penn State Nittany Lions and Philadelphia Eagles, and she enjoyed watching Fox News.

Besides her parents, she was preceded by her husband, Elom Kern in 2001, and her 3 brothers- Robert, Gerald, and John Richards.  She was the last member of her immediate family.

Gail is survived by her 2 daughters- Kimberly Butcavage of Mahanoy City and Bonnie Pecika with her husband William of Park Place, 5 grandchildren- Brittney and Bryce Butcavage, William Pecika Jr., Paige Kawana, and Taylor Pecika, along with 6 great-grandchildren- Atlas, Navy, Elom Joseph, Royce, Felicity, and Sonny.

A visitation for family and friends will be held on Wednesday, May 27th from 10 to 11am at St. Paul’s UCC in Mahanoy City.  Services will be conducted at 11am by Rev. Craig Zimmerman.  Burial will immediately follow at the German Protestant Cemetery in Mahanoy City.

In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer donations in Gail’s memory offered to the St. Paul’s UCC Endowment Fund.

The Oravitz Home for Funerals Inc, Shenandoah are entrusted with the arrangements under the direction of Franklin Fetter, Funeral Director.

To offer condolences, please visit: www.oravitzhomeforfunerals.com

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