Kenneth W. Karns, 86, of Kittanning, died Saturday, Dec. 24, 2011, at Passavant Retirement Community, Zelienople. He was born Feb. 12, 1925, in Kittanning, a son of the late William F. Karns and Ada (Dowling) Karns. A lifelong resident of Kittanning, he retired from the Linde Company/Union Carbide Corp. He was a veteran of World War II and awarded the Bronze Star. He was a member of the First Church of God, Kittanning. Ken was involved in a variety of activities at the First Church of God. Survivors include his wife, Helen (Cornman) Karns, lifelong resident of Kittanning until August 2011 and currently with her daughter in Greensburg; daughter, Linda (Karns) Skinner and her husband, Dave, of Greensburg; son, Kenneth W. Karns Jr. and his wife, Joy, of Phoenix, Ariz.; daughter, Lisa (Karns) Ramos and her husband, Chris, of Butler; grandchildren, David Skinner and his wife, Stacey, Amy Seigenfuse and her husband, Robert, Andrew Skinner and his wife, Meghan, Tina Jeffries and her husband, Sean, Megan Garvy and her husband, Matt, Amber Ramos and Autumn Ramos; great-grandchildren, Kaya and Chayse Skinner, Robbie and Alyssa Seigenfuse, Kellen and Cavan Skinner, Justin and Trent Jeffries, George and Stella Garvy; and sister, Imogene (Karns) Transue, of Kittanning. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by sisters, Hazel (Karns) Kordes, Pearl (Karns) Simpson, Lena (Karns), Ruth (Karns) Reed and Gertrude (Karns) Sidora; and brothers, Charles Karns, Ralph Karns, Fulmer Karns, Clifford Karns, Arther Karns, Homer Karns and Earl Karns. Friends will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday and from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the SNYDER-CRISSMAN FUNERAL HOME in Kittanning. Services at 11 a.m. Thursday at First Church of God, Kittanning, with his son-in-law, the Rev. Dr. David R. Skinner, and the Rev. John W. Snyder co-officiating. Interment in Kittanning Cemetery. For those wishing to make a donation, in lieu of flowers, please send it to the following: Passavant Retirement Community, Benevolent Fund, 401 S. Main St., Zelienople, PA 16063.

From: The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review - Online, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on Sunday, December 25, 2011