John Allan Kern died at home on September 1, 2022, following a brief illness. He was born July 21, 1943, in Detroit, Michigan, to parents John D. and Evelyn Muhlitner Kern. As a child he spent summers at his grandparents’ farm in St. Clair, Michigan, along with his many cousins working in the hayfields. He was a graduate of Seabreeze High School in Daytona Beach. He attended the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York, and graduated with a Restaurant Trades degree. He graduated from the University of Georgia in 1967 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Economics, and a minor in Business. John owned and operated the Bali, Jr. restaurant in Daytona Beach, Florida, from 1967 to 1982. He lived most of his adult life at his lodge on Lake Disston in Bunnell, Florida. He enjoyed raising peacocks, sheep and goats. During his life he traveled extensively throughout Ecuador, Colombia, all of Central America and Mexico, Jamaica, Haiti and the Dominican Republic. He was a mason and a reserve officer for the Florida Freshwater Fish and Game Commission. He served on the board at the Barberville Pioneer Settlement for many years and enjoyed volunteering at their events. He regularly met his many lifelong friends in DeLand for lunch.
John was preceded in death by his parents, John D. and Evelyn Kern, and his two half-sisters, Dorothy and Sally Kern.
John is survived by numerous Muhlitner cousins, and many close friends.
A celebration of his life will be held Saturday, October 15, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. at John’s lake place, 1420 Lake Disston Drive, Bunnell, Florida 32110.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Barberville Pioneer Settlement, 1776 Lightfoot Lane, Barberville, Florida 32105.
Memories and condolences may be expressed to the family at John’s Book of Memories page at www.johnsonoverturffunerals.com .
Arrangements are entrusted to Johnson-Overturf Funeral Home in Palatka.