OREGON - "Bucky" Bradford P. Kerns, age 89, of Oregon, passed away peacefully on

Tuesday, December 30, 2025, at Meriter Hospital surrounded by family. He was born on December 23, 1936, in Madison, Wis., the son of Richard and Etta Mae (Beecher) Kerns.

He married Vivian (White) Kerns on April 18, 1959, in Dubuque, Iowa.

Bucky, along with his wife Vivian, were the proud owners of Bucky's Portable Restrooms Inc., which began with two portable restrooms in 1972. His son Chuck managed the business; his daughter Joanne managed the office alongside her mom Vivian. Later the business expanded to include dumpsters. Over time, Bucky's grew into a true family business. His son Rich and his wife, Kathy, went on to manage Bucky's Rentals, specializing in event rentals. Son, Shawn owns and operates Bucky's Gym. Bucky's Barber shop is owned by grandsons Bryce and Brandon. Together, the family helped Bucky's evolve over the years to reflect each member's interests and passions.

Bucky enjoyed flying homing pigeons professionally and won numerous awards. He also took great pride in caring for his horses. He purchased a horse for Vivian and entered local shows. Bucky and his wife Vivian owned a home in Florida within a pigeon-flyers community, where he enjoyed spending time among fellow enthusiasts. He worked out daily - right up until the end - and loved to proudly remind his children of his dedication to staying active. He loved and looked forward to spending time with family and having family get togethers.

Bucky is survived by his daughter, Joanne (Kelly) McCann; sons, Rich (Kathy) Kerns, Chuck (Jackie) Kerns, Shawn (Carmen) Kerns and Ron Steiner; sixteen grandchildren, Jessica (Nick) Ambrose, Michael (Elizabeth Edwards), Kilea Kerns, Mitch (Nikki) Kerns, Jamie Kerns, Kendall Kerns, Maddie (Jason) Bennett, Charles Kerns, Tina (Riley) Schuetz, Luke (Jenna) Kerns, Trevor Kerns, Shannon (Derek) Casbon, Melissa Foote, Brandon Kerns, Bryce Kerns and Brenna Kerns; many great-grandchildren; two sisters, Virginia (John) Vanderleest and Mary Ann (Bill) Graves; two brothers, Tony (Janet) Schwersinske and Tom Schwersinske; sisters-in-law, Mary Jo White and Tari (Robert) Rector; and cherished nieces, nephews and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife, Vivian Kerns; his parents; infant son, Branford Kerns; infant sister, Joanne; brother, Alvin Schwersinske; sisters, Bonnie Rodenschmidt, Neva Prey and Janette Lewis; brother-in-law, Mike White; and sister-in-law, Phyllis White.

Our Dad is deeply loved and will be greatly missed by many.

A funeral service will be held at GUNDERSON OREGON FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 1150 Park St., Oregon, at 12 noon on Saturday, January 10, 2026, with the Rev. Charles Fiesel presiding. Burial will be held at Roselawn Memorial Park at 3:15 p.m. on Saturday. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday. A luncheon will follow the service at the funeral home from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. on Saturday.

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson Oregon
Funeral & Cremation Care
1150 Park St.
(608) 835-3515

"Bucky" Bradford P. Kerns

December 23, 1936 - December 30, 2025

Share photos of Bradford