Alvin Bernhardt
Alvin Bernard Bernhardt, 80, well known farmer and livestock hauler, died April 17, 2002, at Hillsboro Community Medical Center.
Born on a farm northwest of Marion, Jan. 28, 1922, he was the youngest of three sons and had five sisters. His parents were Henry and Mary (Hill) Bernhardt.
Bernhardt was raised in the Tampa community and attended school there. When he was 16 his father died and he had to take on the responsibility of operating the farm and caring for his mother and younger sister.
On Aug. 3, 1945, he married Agnes Quiring. They made their home on the family farm and raised two children, Jim and Laurel.
Bernhardt enjoyed farming and also did livestock hauling from 1964 to 1992. He made many friends as he traveled to Wichita and Welsh, Okla.
He was a lifetime member of Strassburg Baptist Church where he served as usher for most of his adult life. Recently he was greeter for the morning service where he greeted many friends with a handshake and warm smile.
In 1999, he battled cancer and thought he was cancer free but about a month ago was diagnosed with cancer again. Before starting chemotherapy treatments he got his spring crop ground ready.
Bernhardt was preceded in death by two brothers, Ezra and Albert; sisters, Bertha Vogel and Alma Kelsey.
Survivors include his wife of almost 57 years; a son, Jim and his wife Teresa of rural Marion; a daughter, Laurel Acklin and husband Red of El Dorado; two grandchildren; one great-grandchild; three sisters, Verla Cott of Salina, Alvina Skibbe of Newton, and Helen Turner of Augusta.
Services were held Saturday afternoon at Strassburg Baptist Church with Pastor Don Mashburn officiating. Vocal music was by the men's quartet with Kristi Krispense as pianist.
Casket bearers at the service were Jason Kruse, Justin Groening, Gary Evans, Garry Vogel, John Heiser, and Marvin Meisinger. Interment was at Strassbury Cemetery in rural Marion.
A memorial has been established with the Strassburg Baptist Church building fund.
Also attending the service from out-of-town was Agnes' sister-in-law Gertrude Quiring from Tampa, Fla., and her daughter Margaret Herrison of Austin, Texas.
