Monogrammed Brick Stories
Brick: Kernke Family
Contributed by Sharlene Hammons
Joe C. Kernke, Jr. was born in 1944 to Joe Kernke, Sr. and Blanche Grethen in OKC. Joe attended Cascia Hall in Tulsa until 1962. He attended OU where he was a member of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity and graduated with a BBA in Finance in 1966. There he met his wife, Barbara Hammons of Seminole, and they married in 1965. Joe then attended Central State College and graduated with a BS in Funeral Service. He began working full time in 1965 for his family's business. Joe and Barbara have three children, Brian (wife, Melissa), Todd (wife, Sally), and Keri Kernke; and two granddaughters, Madison and Jordan Kernke. Along with his association at Smith & Kernke Funeral Directors, Joe is a strong volunteer and active member in numerous organizations in OKC.
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View a list of brick stories or search all bricks.
In 2012 the Oklahoma Historical Society invited those who purchased one of the monogrammed bricks paving the Red River Journey at the Oklahoma History Center to share about the person or group their brick honors. Below is a list of those who submitted stories and the message shown on their brick. Use the links below to read the contributed story.
This project was made possible by a generous donation from Catherine B. Wootten.
