Bernard (Bernie) F. Kotlarczyk, age 52, of Rapid River, MI passed away Thursday morning, March 15, 2007 at the Marquette General Hospital.

Bernard was born November 26, 1954 in Romulus, MI, son of Frank and Charlotte (Rutkowski) Kotlarczyk. Bernard grew up in Plymouth, Michigan, attended Plymouth Schools and graduated from Plymouth Salem-Canton High School. He continued education in photography classes, field trips on nature and bird study, courses in taxidermy, and bike trips to the U.P. He worked for the McDonald’s chain and restaurants for many years in janitorial service. He had his own fishing lure business, creating them from wood, an art he perfected for over 35 years. He lived in Alpena since 1977, and moved to Rapid River, Michigan in 1994. In Alpena he was known as the lone fisherman, sometimes fishing in the rain by the bridge, or being seen out on the rivers late into the night. He always said night fishing was the perfect time. He found new places in Rapid River and enjoyed the exploration of natural wonders. He captured nature with his camera and loved the land surrounding the U.P. Bernard loved nature and the beauty of the open spaces of the U.P. He hunted and fished the lakes of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Lower and Upper Michigan. He loved his canine companion, “B”. Bernard was employed at Stropich Oil Convenience Store in Rapid River since 2000. He was a member of the Escanaba Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses. He will be greatly missed.

Bernard is survived by his sister Patricia (Gill) Van Wagoner, of Alpena, and aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews of Southern Michigan. He was preceded in death by his father and mother, frank and Charlotte Kotlarczyk in 1988, and a sister Susan Burch from Arizona.

Per his wishes, Bernard has been taken for cremation. Skradski-Boyce Family Funeral Homes of Delta County are assisting the Kotlarczyk family with arrangements. A Memorial Service will be held at the Escanaba Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses on Sunday, March 18 at 4:00 PM.