Fr. Gary A. Bernhardt, O.F.M.
Rev. Gary A. Bernhardt, O.F.M., age 56, of St. Anthony Parish in St. Louis, formerly of Quincy, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, August 26, 2014. He was born on June 16, 1958 in Quincy, a son of Carl & Margie (Venvertloh) Bernhardt.
He attained the rank of Eagle Scout with Boy Scout Troop #1 in Quincy.
Fr. Gary attended Quincy College. He received a degree in engineering from Iowa State University. While at Iowa State he was a youth minister for two years. Fr. Gary had a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, and Masters Degrees in both Theology and Divinity. He worked at Gardner Denver as a Mechanical Engineer for several years until he received his calling to join the Franciscans. He entered the Order of Friars Minor on June 28, 1985, became a Deacon in 1998 and he was ordained a priest on April 24, 1999 in Quincy.
Fr. Gary served the people of God and the Church in retreat and parish ministries for the Sacred Heart Province, in Indianapolis, Memphis, Nashville, Ashland, Ruston and in Quincy. Fr. Gary also served as Secretary of the Franciscan Province from 1992-1996.
At the time of his death he held the position of Director of Franciscan Charities and Development for the Sacred Heart Province. He also was Spiritual Assistant for the Secular Franciscan Fraternity located at St. Francis of Assisi Parish, (Oakville) St. Louis, MO.
He was an active member of the Healing Waters Project, working with veterans at Jefferson Barracks in St. Louis. Fr. Gary loved fishing, being with the Franciscans and being with people.
He is survived by:
HIS PARENTS, Carl & Margie Bernhardt of Quincy;
FOUR BROTHERS: Michael Bernhardt and his wife Nancy of Quincy, Dan Bernhardt and his wife Cheryl of Kansas City, MO, Randy Bernhardt and his wife Mona of Antioch, IL and Joe Bernhardt of Quincy. Numerous aunts, nieces, nephews and other relatives also survive. He was preceded in death by his grandparents and a sister Connie.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, September 2, 2014 at 9:30 a.m. in the Duker & Haugh Funeral Home with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. in St. Francis Solanus Catholic Church. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Monday evening from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. at St. Francis Church with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. Memorials may be made to the Franciscan Charities of the Sacred Heart Province. The Duker & Haugh Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.
Father Gary touched my son’s life while at LA Tech. He went on to marry my son and later bury my son. My son also passed away while fishing and I am sure they are fishing together in heaven. He was there for our family when we needed him and for this we will be eternally grateful.
I only met Fr Gary a couple times when he came to Indianapolis and visited our parish (Sacred Heart, staffed by Franciscans from the Sacred Heart Province). He was happy, convivial and outgoing. God rest his soul. Condolences to his family and to his confreres in the OFM.
Fr. Gary was a beautiful soul and we feel honored to have had him as part of our campus ministry at LA Tech and as the officiate in our wedding. Rest in peace.
Margie & Carl, Sorry to here of Gary’s passing. Keeping you and your family in my prayers.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
I am so saddened by the news of Fr. Gary’s passing. I knew him as a student at Iowa State. He was a dear friend and spiritual mentor, and my life is enriched for knowing him. My condolences to his family and to his Franciscan community.
Mike Boersma
I don’t know if Gary’s mom remembers me, but I knew you because of my sister, Mary Effrein, who hung around with your youngest sister Ginny. I remember Ginny and Edie Venvertloh and my sister, Mary Grawe, always talking about Margie Venvertloh. I think the Bernhardt’s were also related to my Uncle Ray and Aunt Bertha Hilgenbrink. Then I lost all contact with Quincy as I went to Brazil in 1968 and spent 41 years there. As you may recall, two of my brothers died on December 25th, drowning in the Mississippi River. So I know some of your sorrow. Even though I was just 14 at the time, I saw how this affected my parents and the whole family throughout the years. At the wake for my brothers, one of the friars came up to me and said “congratulations” instead of “condolences”. I thought this priest was rather strange anyway; and, many times, I considered that just maybe I wrongly heard what he said. When my mother died, this same priest told me the same thing, congratulating me instead of offering condolences. Then he called me aside and said that he was giving “congratulations” because now, besides my two brothers, I had my mother looking after me from heaven. I still think that this priest expressed himself in a very odd way. However, at the same time, I thought it was a beautiful thought. I’m sure that Gary so loved the Franciscans and his biological family that he is looking over all of us from heaven. During my years in Brazil, I had no contact with Gary; but I have been living with him for a short time here at our house in St. Louis. I always considered him an arrow of love, compassion, and generosity in the quiver of God. He had a difficult job as development director because of the general lack of support to the friars from our leadership. Contrary to many of the others in leadership positions, he was a living sermon, leading by example. You can be proud of him. I sure am! I will keep you always in my prayers. I’m sorry I cannot attend the funeral and tell you this personally. Fr. Mike Grawe, ofm
My classmate Gary was a kind and gentle soul. His care and love was always abundant. He felt deeply for others. Emotion was never far removed from his face, nor his broad smile. He was a patient teacher. (I blame him and Maury Smith for excitedly introducing me to computers in 1985. I could think of no good reason to have one) Gary’s family is generous. His mom cooked the best fried chicken I’ve ever tasted. Gary will be missed tremendously.
I am very sorry for your loss. I am praying for your family.
Gary and I lived together three times: novitiate, Memphis, St Louis.
Gary is a compassionate person.
He will be paying for us now that he is with the Lord. He is joyful, friendly, caring, talented, generous.
This accident is tragedy for all of us to bear. You all will be remembered in my praying. PEACE, Mauryn
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your loss!