Our beloved Deacon Joseph Kerns was taken from us on Friday morning, Nov. 24, when a tree fell on his truck near Snoqualmie Pass as he was traveling on I-90 with his son, Abraham and two other young men who worked for him (and who recently helped him paint our historic Holy Trinity Temple in Wilkeson, Washington), Alex Minneman and Jonathan Burell. Alex was also killed in the accident. Abraham and Jonathan were not injured.
Our Prayers are offered for Matushka Elizabeth and for Deacon Joseph's children: Jeremy, Susana and her husband Wesley Roberts, Abraham, Clara and Katherine, and his grandson, Anthony.
Deacon Joseph served Holy Resurrection Church, Tacoma Washington, for ten years. He fulfilled the meaning of the word deacon - servant - not only in the Altar, but through his diaconal ministry worked among us and in the diocese.
With the blessing of His Grace, Bishop Benjamin, a fund has been established in our parish to assist his family in their time of need. Contributions to the Deacon Joseph Kerns Fund may be made to Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church, P.O. Box 1332, Puyallup, WA 98371.
The Funeral Service will be served on Wednesday evening, Nov. 29, at 6:30 p.m. at Holy Resurrection Church, 8710 28th Ave. E, Tacoma WA 98445, presided over by His Grace, Bishop Benjamin, Administrator of the Diocese of the West. His Grace will leave Washington State later that evening. The Divine Liturgy will be served by Parish Rector, Archpriest John Pierce and local clergy on Thursday, Nov. 30, at 10:00 a.m. A reception will follow in the church hall. At 1:30 p.m. Deacon Joseph will be taken to the Wilkeson town cemetery for interment. Maps to Wilkeson will be made available at the reception.
May the Lord God remember his diaconate in His Kingdom, always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

With the blessing of His Grace, Bishop Benjamin, a fund has been established in our parish to assist his family in their time of need. Contributions to the Deacon Joseph Kerns Fund may be made to Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church, P.O. Box 1332, Puyallup, WA 98371. Also, a memorial fund account has been established at Key Bank for Fr. Dn. Joseph's family. The name of the account is "Joseph J Kerns Family Donation Fund". The account number is 470141007307. Donations may be made at any Key Bank branch in Washington.

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