James W. Bernard

James W. Bernard, 61, of Poplar Bluff died Thursday, July 26, 2007 at the Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center.

Mr. Bernard, son of the late Walter James and Mary Lucille (Northcutt) Bernard, was born April 27, 1946, in Hammond Ind. He was of the Baptist faith; and a retired truck driver for the U. S. Postal Worker. Mr. Bernard was also a disabled Vietnam War veteran of the United States Army 161st Aviation Assault Helicopter Division - Door Gunner. He enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and drag racing, of which he had numerous drag racing trophies. Mr. Bernard enjoyed the Chicago Cubs, Colorado Rockies and collecting Unicorns and Eagles as well.

On Jan. 2, 1968, he married Mary Lou Dillon, in St. Louis. She survives.

Other survivors include four daughters, Lynda Green and husband Rich Milam and Annie Hornbeck and husband Alonzo, all of Poplar Bluff, Ellen Hall and husband George, of Harrison, Ark. and Becky Young and husband James, of St. Louis; 20 grandchildren, Nathan Hamilton, Nora Bernard, Fredrick Milam, Harley Milam, Kelly Milam, Jamie Baker, Nikki Baker, Stephanie Baker, Richard Baker, Ashley Hall, Skyler Hall, Dianna Young, James Young, Nancy Young, Justin Bratton, Chyanna Hornbeck, Kori Hornbeck, Wesley Bratton, Cathryn Bratton, Keesha Hornbeck; one great-granddaughter, Cadence Hamilton; sister, Mary Johanna Holtz, of St. Louis; and brother, Butch Bernard, of Arnold; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

Visitation will be from 6 - 8 p.m. Sunday at Cotrell Funeral Chapel, in Poplar Bluff. The funeral service will begin at 9:30 a.m. Monday in the chapel with the Rev. Randy Wallis officiating. Burial with full military honors will be at 2:15 p.m. Monday at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, in St. Louis.