EDWARD "ED" THOMAS KEARNS

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Edward “Ed” Thomas Kearns of Chapel Hill, N.C., died Saturday, January 7, 2012 at home. He was born January 14, 1923 in Gary, W.Va. Ed was the son of the late William Paul and Helen Clark Kearns. After graduating from National Business College in Roanoke, Va., he served as an Army Staff Sergeant in Italy during World War II.

Ed retired in 1987 from Ashland Oil, Inc. after 36 years of service. He and his wife relocated to Chapel Hill in 2003.

Ed is survived by his wife of 63 years, Betty Hartman Kearns; daughters, Kathie Kearns of Chapel Hill, Carol Feddeman of Graham and husband David, Mary Beth Schultz of Fort Thomas, Ky. and husband John; grandchildren, Mary Alta Feddeman, Natalie Schultz, and Johnny Schultz.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, January 11, 2012 at 2 p.m. at St. Thomas More Catholic Church. Friends may join the family for a reception immediately following. A private internment will be held at a later date.

Memorial contributions in Ed's name may be made to UNC Hospice at 480 Hillsboro Street, Suite 800, Pittsboro, NC 27312, or St. Thomas More Charity Fund, 940 Carmichael Street, Chapel Hill, NC 27514.

The Kearns family is under the care of Hall-Wynne Funeral Service, Durham, N.C.