John L. Kearns, 58, of Waterloo, died at Allen Memorial Hospital Saturday, February 18, 2006 of heart failure. He was born November 22, 1947 in Brandon, Iowa, son of Milo and Agnes Gunn Kearns.

He married Diane Hilmer in 1976. They were later divorced. John married Elizabeth Legler in January 1996 in Waterloo.

John served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War.

He is survived by his wife Elizabeth; 2 sons: Jamie Kearns of Stockton, California and Jeremy Kearns of Waterloo; 2 daughters: Jennifer and Jody Kearns both of Waterloo; a stepson Chad Legler and a stepdaughter Felicia Bley both of Waterloo; and 6 grandchildren.

John is also survived by 4 brothers: Lee Kearns of LaPorte City, Richard Kearns of Vinton, Kenneth Kearns of Phoenix, Arizona, and Clarence Kearns of Oskaloosa; and four sisters: Loretta Minkens of Arizona, Nadine Hogan of Winthrop, Norma Jean Young of Florida, Beverly Scott of Dysart, and Diane Lambirth of Phoenix, Arizona.

John is preceded in death by 3 brothers: Edward, Russell and Howard Kearns; and a sister Mildred Chapman.