Karen R. (Shorts) Kern, 79, of E. Moody Avenue, died Wednesday, July 1, 2026, at UPMC Jameson Hospital in New Castle. She was born on June 26, 1947, in Pittsburgh, PA, a daughter of the late Harry and Anna Rita (Bullian) Shorts. She married Gerald F. Kern on January 10, 1998, he survives at home. She was a member of Holy Spirit Parish- St. Joseph. Karen worked at PARC as a supervisor, retiring after 23 years. She is a graduate of Youngstown State University, with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a minor in English. She enjoyed dancing with her husband, and they were the first couple to participate in the cancer society, Dancing With The Stars. Karen was also active in the New Castle Playhouse and The Red Barn Theater, and as she got older, she made costumes for the plays at both locations. She loved buying shoes and taking care of the families’ many children.

In addition to her husband, she is also survived by two brothers, Claude Shorts and his wife Jodi of Poland, OH, and Joseph Shorts and his wife Sue of Bradenton, FL, one sister, Sandy Bara and her husband Randy of New Castle, and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by one sister, Bonnie Fraser.

Visitation will be held Sunday, July 5, 2026, from 2 PM to 5 PM at the William F. & Roger M. DeCarbo Funeral Home, 926 Cunningham Avenue. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday, July 6, 2026, at 10:30 AM at Holy Spirit Parish- St. Vitus Church. Father Aaron Kriss will officiate. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery.