Eugene Joseph “Barney” Bernier, age 90, of the Bishop Noa Home in Escanaba (formerly of 10879 I Road, Cornell) died Saturday evening May 6, 2006 at the Bishop Noa Home where he was a resident. Eugene was born December 13, 1915 in Garden, MI the son of Eugene and Philomene Mary (Deloria) Bernier. On November 23, 1939 he was united in marriage to the former Meta L. Winter.
In his youth, Eugene had worked at the Deloria Store, Stillwagon Store and the Purtill Garage. Eugene worked at several jobs including, mail route carrier (Cooks, Garden, and Fayette) and he ran a lathe at the Nahma Mill. He also worked on the Ore Docks in Escanaba and Continental Motors in Detroit. He was employed by the Village of Garden and operated the Garden House for fourteen years. From 1961 to 1978 he was employed by GM Truck & Bus in Pontiac, MI.
Following his retirement from General Motors in 1978 they moved from Waterford to Cornell. Eugene was a member of Holy Family Church in Flat Rock, American Legion Cloverland Post #82 of Escanaba, Knights of Columbus Don Lee Messier #502 of Manistique where he was a Fourth Degree Knight, Holy Name Society and a member of the Garden Historical Society. His hobbies included gardening and hunting.
In addition to his wife of 66 years, Meta, survivors include:
1 Daughter: Becky (William) Gruber of Waterford, MI
1 Son-in-law: Everett Kalishek of Gladstone
1 Brother: Gerard (Mary Jean) Bernier of Garden
10 Grandchildren: Rebecca (Ben) Sherk of Iron Mountain, David (Tara) Kalishek of Jenison, MI, James (Tammy) Kalishek of Midland, MI, Susan (Tracy) Royer of Appleton, WI, Dean (Cindy) Kalishek of Phoenix, AZ, Michael Kalishek of Mason, MI, Jennifer Kalishek of Mt. Pleasant, MI, Daniel Kalishek of Gladstone, Jennifer (Brian) Gilboe of Waterford, MI, Steve (Laura) Gruber of Royal Oak, MI.
13 great grandchildren: Emily, Harley and Sarah Sherk, Scott, Eric, Grace, Lucas and Trinity Kalishek, Jacob and Taylor Royer, Brandon and Christian Gilboe, and Eric Gruber.
7 nieces and nephews
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by:
Daughter: Genie Kalishek
Grandson: Scott Clifford Kalishek
Brother: Ernest Bernier
Sister: Sr. Grace Bernard
Visitation is scheduled for Friday from 10:00 A.M. to 12:55 P.M. at the Holy Family Church in Flat Rock. Mass of Christian Burial services will follow at 1:00 P.M. at the Holy Family Church with Rev. Fr. Frank Lenz officiating. Luncheon will follow in the church parish hall. Committal services with Military Rites conducted by the Garden American Legion will be in the New Garden Cemetery in Garden on Saturday morning at 11:00 A.M. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Garden Historical Society, envelopes will be available at the Skradski-Boyce Family Funeral Homes or at the Holy Family Catholic Church.
