John “Jack” (aka Muddy) Kernan, 100, died peacefully at home on Dec. 16, 2025 with his family by his side after a brief stay in hospice. Born on Feb. 17, 1925, in Chicago to John and Agnes Kernan, he was the second of three children.
Jack was married to Patricia “Patsy” (O’Neill) Kernan for 65 years. Together they made their home in Oak Park and were longtime members of St. Catherine-St. Lucy Parish. They raised four children: Kathy (Milton Dudley), Jake (Gay), Mike, and Bridget. Jack was preceded in death by Patsy, Jake, and Bridget.
For the past eight years, he resided at Casa Scalabrini in Northlake, where he met and married Kathleen “Kate” Schwaighart. They married when Jack was 94 and Kate was 84. Kate passed away this summer at the age of 90.
Jack was the proud grandfather of seven grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren, and is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
He lived a remarkable life rooted in faith, family, and gratitude. An avid athlete well into his later years, he played tennis until age 85 and cycled daily from spring through fall until age 96. At age 90, he rode 20 miles in “Bike the Drive” alongside his daughter. Bangs Lake was especially dear to him; he spent countless hours captaining his pontoon boat there, often surrounded by family and friends. He also enjoyed kayaking in the Adirondacks, Michigan, and Florida well into his 90s. Daily walks and hikes kept him strong in body and spirit.
A lifelong student of baseball and devoted White Sox fan, he was honored by Harold Baines and the White Sox organization on his 100th birthday.
After retiring from Sears at age 62, he volunteered at Rush Oak Park Hospital for 32 years. He was the inaugural recipient of the Volunteer of the Year Award and retired only when COVID ended his service at age 95.
A Catholic funeral Mass and celebration of Jack’s life will be held at the Chapel of Villa Scalabrini early in the new year, honoring a life well lived and a man now at peace in God’s loving embrace.
