Obituary of Betty J Kerner

Betty J. Kerner (Mihaljevic), 85, of Zion passed away on December 7th, 2016 after fighting a courageous battle against cancer. Betty was born on July 17th, 1931 in Zion, IL. She attended Zion Parochial School and graduated from Zion Benton High School. She married James Kerner in December of 1948. Betty and Jim celebrated 56 years of marriage until his death in 2004. Betty graduated from Mueller’s School of Cosmetology in 1949 and worked at the Bel Aire Beauty Salon in Waukegan during the 1950’s. She subsequently opened her own home-based salon in the early 1960’s which Betty continued running through 2010. She loved being a hairstylist and interacting with her customers. She always believed in making herself and her customers’ look and feel their best. Betty was a talented artist. She painted many pictures for family and friends. She also shared this passion with her Great-Grandchildren. Betty was a talented seamstress, making clothes, costumes, blankets, and holiday decorations. She was very devoted to her family and friends. Betty is survived by her children, Lynn Gibson of Zion; and Jeff (Paula) Kerner of Wadsworth; grandchildren, Timothy (Jamie) Paxton, Traci (Angelo) Paxton-Quintero, and Nicole (Jordan) Calliham; eleven great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and a sister-in-law Lynda (Norman) Mihaljevic. She was preceded in death by her husband, James; brothers, Norman and Donald Mihaljevic; parents, Nicholas and Lydia Mihaljevic; sister-in-law Christine Mihaljevic; son-in-law, Howard Gibson; and grandson, John James Paxton. A funeral service will be held on Monday, December 12, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at Memorial United Methodist Church, 2935 Sheridan Road, Zion, with Pastor Kwadwo Ntim, officiating. Interment will follow at Mt. Olivet Memorial Park, Zion. Visitations will be held on Sunday, December 11, 2016 from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. at Congdon Funeral Home, 3012 Sheridan Road, Zion, and also on Monday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at the church. Memorial donations to Vista Hospice have been suggested.