John N. Kernan Jr., 74, of Mathews, Va., joined his Heavenly Father on Thursday, May 21, 2015.

John was born May 28, 1940 in Belleville, Ill. He served in the U.S. Army before beginning his career as a Master Mechanic. John retired from Henry S. Branscome Construction in 2011 after three decades of dedicated service. He was known for his love of family, strong work ethic and gentle spirit.

John was preceded in death by his loving parents, John Sr. and Elsie Grace Kernan; two sisters and a brother. He also lost the love of his life, Frances “Patsy” Kernan, in August 2014.

John is survived by his four children, Don Parks and wife Debbie of Gloucester, Va., Tim Parks and his wife Donna of Hartfield, Va., Kelly Smith and husband David Alan of Moon, and Kim West and husband Jason of Cobbs Creek, Va. He was a loving Paw-Paw to 10 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. John is also survived by three brothers- and sisters-in-law with many, many nieces and nephews.

The family received friends on Sunday, May 24, 2015, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Foster-Faulkner Funeral Home, Mathews. A funeral service was held on Monday, May 25, 2015, at 11 a.m. in the funeral home chapel, with Pastor Kramer of Mathews Baptist Church officiating. A small gathering was held at his graveside at H.C. Smither Cemetery, Hudgins, Va. The family received friends after the services at Mathews Baptist Church, Hudgins.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the doctors and nurses in the CICU at Norfolk Sentara Heart Hospital for their loving care.