Michael Lerner
LERNER, Dr. Michael, DMD, 69, of Lexington, died Friday, June 1, 2012 after a short illness. Born in Huntington, WV, he was the son of the late Leonard and Marjorie Lerner. A 1967 graduate of the University of Kentucky school of Dentistry, he was second in his class. He went on to earn his MSD in 1969 from the Indiana University School of Dentistry Pediatric Program. Dr. Lerner practiced dentistry in Lexington for 42 years. He was a member of the American Dental Association, Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity, the International Association for Oral Medicine & Toxicology, and a fellow of the American Academy of General Dentistry. An accomplished jazz pianist, music was his passion. An ebullient and creative man, Dr. Lerner was inspiring and a hero in many ways. He was a visionary advocate for health & wellness and loved cooking, travel, and adventure. After a 2004 injury left him paralyzed, he defied conventional medical declarations and worked stubbornly and valiantly to return to his life and practicing dentistry, things doctors said he would never do. He leaves behind to cherish his memory his wife of 23 years, Susan McConnell Lerner; his children, Neil William Lerner, Marc Louis Lerner (Lynn) and Shayna Elaine Warner (Seth); stepchildren, Jennifer Faye Johnson and Cynthia Enid Johnson (Paul); his first wife, Freda Grace Miller; grandchildren, Gertrude, Alice, Jonah, Marcy, Solomon, Simon, and Isaac; sister, Linda Stein (Sam); and his beloved pets. Visitation will be 5-8 pm Sunday at Kerr Bros. Harrodsburg Rd. Funeral will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Cardinal Hill Healthcare System at cardinalhill.org/donate or to tikkun.org.