Murrel Bernard, 94, of Belle Rive, “Went Home to be with the Lord” Monday morning October 30, 2017.

He was born in Bonnie, IL on March 9, 1923, the son of Willard & Lily (Beardin) Bernard.

Mr. Bernard was a born again Christian, and a member of the New Hope Free WIll Baptist Church. He started a family business, M. Bernard & Sons Grain Co. in 1959, and was a lifelong farmer. Mr. Bernard enjoyed going to Church, hauling grain which he did until he was 92, and driving the combine which he did until age 94, driving the evening before he had his stroke.

Mr. Bernard is survived by his wife, LaVerne (Adams) Bernard whom he married on February 11, 1950. They were blessed with 8 children:

Son: Gilroy Bernard and children:

Chris (Audrey) Bernard and their children; Caitlyn & Lucy

Curt (Sara) Bernard & Addison

Brooke (Omid) Yamini

Son: Dwight (Barbara) Bernard and children:

Jason (Tanisha) Bernard and children: Abby & Natalie

Jamie Bernard

Kelley Bernard & children: Jack & Louis

Daughter: Phyllis (Darrell) Sigwerth and children:

Darrick (Laura) Sigwerth and children: Darrien, Dominick & Daniel

Donovan Sigwerth

Cassidy (Derek) Drennan and children: Payten, Bentley & Korbyn

Son: Alvin (Peggy) Bernard and children:

Candace Bradley

Brandon (Kessa) Bernard and children: Brynlee & Gunner

Son: Tom (Colleen) Bernard and children:

Jennifer (Shaun) Vineyard and children: Madison & Lane

Breann (Ryan) Stoodley and children: Madison & Kennedy

Daughter: Malinda (Rick) Thomas and children:

Mallory (Jason) Kimmerling and children: Tenley & Liam

Mackenzie (Josh) Polete and Berkley

Landon Thomas

Daughter: Patricia Bernard

Daughter: Carmella (Garret) Payne

Mr. Bernard was preceded in death by his Parents, by a Daughter-in-law: Brenda Bernard, by a Grandson: Nathan Bernard, by a Brother: Paul Bernard & his wife Erma Lee, and by a Sister: Opal Wangler & her husband Sebren.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M. Saturday, November 4th at the Ina Free Will Baptist Church with Pastors Craig Smith & Tim Coonce officiating. Burial will be in the Bethel Memorial Cemetery in Mt. Vernon. Visitation will be from 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Friday at the Ina Free Will Baptist Church.

For those who wish, Memorials may be made to the New Hope Free Will Baptist Church.

The Johnston Funeral Home in Ina is in charge of arrangements.