John J. Kernic

John J. Kernic, 82 of Franklin passed away at 11:20 A.M. on Thursday September 12, 2013 at his residence.



Born December 6, 1930 in Pittsburgh he was a son of the late John and Anna Spicic Kernic.



Mr. Kernic was a graduate of Shaler High School where he was a standout football player.



John attended West Virginia University and was a walk on for the mountaineer football team. He played on the 1954 WVU Sugar Bowl Team and is a member of the WVU Football Hall of Fame. Mr. Kernic graduated with a B.S. in Physical Therapy.



He was invited to try out for the Chicago Cardinals pro football team.



Shortly after marriage John and his wife moved to Wexford and built a home where they reside until 1979 when they moved to Franklin. John helped form the Brad-Mar-Pine Police Department in Wexford.



Mr. Kernic worked as Head Physical Therapist at Aliquippa Hospital, St. Barnabas in Gibsonia, Passavant Lutheran Home in Zelienople and lastly at VNA of Venango County.



He was formerly the Athletic Trainer at Aliquippa High School.



John was involved with the Venango Christian Boosters and also sat on the Sugar Creek Borough Planning Commission.



He was of catholic faith and attended St. Patrick Church in Franklin.



On June 11, 1955 he married the former Twyla Gothe and and she preceded him in death on August 3, 2013.



Surviving, are five children; Cynthia Rombold of Wampum, John D. Kernic and his wife Mary of Ambridge, Keith A. Kernic of Cranberry Twp., Stephen W. Kernic and his wife Patti of Butler, and Lisa Kernic D.O. and her husband Timothy S. Rosenberg of Lancaster; nine grandchildren, Sandra, Rachel, Erica, Nicholas, Eva, Luke, Elizabeth, Anna, and Kristen; a sister in law, Elizabeth Ann Kushik; a nephew Joseph kernic and a niece JoAnn Hathcox.



In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by a brother Joseph Stephen Kernic.



Family and friends welcome Monday from 4:00 ? 7:00 P.M. at Huff Funeral Home & Cremation Services Inc. 312 West Park St. Franklin.



Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1:00 P.M. Tuesday at St. Stephen Church in Oil City with the Rev. Matthew Ruyechan, officiating.



Interment will be made at Allegheny County Memorial Park.