10/03/2026
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our longtime friend and employee - who we here at PRPC all affectionately called 'Charlie'. Charlie worked for Mark & Val way back in the big red barn days of Marrik's Canoe Service. He was there for all of Jake's childhood. He told me that Jake used to steal the desserts out of his lunchbox so his wife, Diane, had to start packing him two dessertsš
He was here at PRPC when I, Alaney, started working 14 years ago. He was instrumental in setting up Jake and I - he was quite the matchmaker! Every fall that I would leave for college still not engaged, Charlie would grow worried and say that he would have a talk with Jake š¤£ Jake doesn't remember the details of those talks now, but he says that Charlie did talk to him! He was thrilled when Jake and I finally tied the knot.
In the winter time when Charlie would be teaching at Mesick schools, Jake and I would make it a point to stop in at least once during his lunch break and bring a pizza to share with him and visit. I remember when we called him to tell him that I was pregnant with Quinn - you could hear him choking back tears on the other end of the phone he was so happy. Charlie could appreciate others growing their families because he put such a high value on his own. I am so saddened that he never got to meet Marrik. He would have known the history behind his name!
Charlie was a warm, kind man. It is hard for us to believe that he is actually gone. But, there's no doubt in our mind that Charlie knew Jesus. We spoke of our shared faith together, and how it is the source of our hope and joy. We'll see you again, Charlie. And when I see you, maybe we'll remember our old greeting to each other that we used every day at PRPC. Charlie would walk in the front door and go 'Well, Laaanneyyyy' and I would respond 'Well, Charrrrlieeeee'.
Until we meet again, Charlieā¤ā¤ā¤
Celebrate the life of Charles "Chuck" Kerner Jr. and join others in sharing memories, stories, and condolences.
