Donald Bernard

SOUTH CAROLINA - Prayers will be held Saturday, May 4, at 9:00 a.m. at the Higgins-Reardon Funeral Homes, Austintown Chapel, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church for Donald Bernard, 76, who died Sunday morning in his daughter’s home in LaGrange, Illinois surrounded by family.

Donald was born August 22, 1942, in Youngstown, Ohio, a son of Donald and Wanda (Bielecki) Bernard.

Don was a 1960 graduate of Austintown Fitch High School. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Education from Kent State University in 1964. While at Kent State, he was an active member of Alpha Tao Omega Fraternity. He then returned to Austintown Fitch High School to teach English and coach football from 1964-1966. After receiving his Masters Degree in Finance at Youngstown State University, he became Credit Manager at Commercial Shearing. He spent the last 8 years of his career in the human resource department traveling worldwide as a team building training advocate for the company. He worked for Commercial Intertech (Parker Hannifin) for 37 years.

Don’s love of sunshine, golf and fishing took him to North Myrtle Beach, SC. to enjoy his retirement years. He was a dedicated and loving father and took great pride in his grandchildren. He was an amazing story and joke teller and loved a good laugh. His exceptional love for the Chicago Cubs was known by all he met.

He is survived by his daughter, Tracy (John) Linesch of LaGrange, Illinois; his son, David (Laura) Bernard of Michigan; his sister, Bonnie (John) Sovik of Austintown, Ohio; and his brother, Dennis (Carolyn) of Kiawah, South Carolina; grandchildren, Jake and Alexander Linesch, several nieces and nephews and his dog “Murphy.”

He was preceded in death by his parents and his identical twin brother, Ronald Bernard.

Family and friends may call on Friday from 5 to 7 p.m., at the funeral home, 4303 Mahoning Ave.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Cancer Treatment Centers of America, 2520 Elisha Ave., Zion, IL 60099.

Please visit www.higgins-reardon.com to send condolences to the family.