Martin Dale Kern, 58, of Gideon, Mo., died Sunday, April 4, 2004 at Twin Rivers Regional Medical Center in Kennett.

Born on December 5, 1945 in St. Louis, Mo., a son of the late Willard and Louise Lacy Akridge, he was a veteran.

On Feb. 14, 1970 in Peach Orchard, Mo., he married Wilma Ellen Akridge, who survives of the home.

Other survivors include four daughters, Susan Yeargain and husband, Jon, of Smock, Pa., Melissa Kelly and husband, Kyle, of Keller, Texas, Margaret Martin and husband, Jerry, and Lorrie Norton and husband, Darrell, all of Gideon; one brother, David Kern and wife, Sue, of St. Louis, Mo.; one sister, Willidean Jackson and husband, Gaylen, of Thompsonville, Ill.; special friend, Johnny Hardcastle of Gray Summit, Mo., and 10 grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents that raised him Albert "Ab" and Bertha Lacy;

Visitation will be held at 6 p.m., today, Tuesday, April 6, at the Bradshaw Funeral Home in Gideon.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., on Wednesday, April 7, at the Bradshaw Chapel in Gideon with Rev. Jack Allen officiating.

Burial will be in the Stanfield Cemetery in Clarkton, Mo.