Roger Dale Bernard, 71, of LaPorte, died Friday, Jan. 6, 2017, at IU Health LaPorte Hospital.
He was born Jan. 19, 1945, in Hazard, KY, to Virginia Dixon.
Roger was an amazing person who had a wonderful sense of humor and loved to project a rough exterior yet had a very soft heart. He will be greatly missed. Roger was hired by the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Department in August of 1980 and he honorably served the residents of our county for 28 years, having retired in October of 2008. Roger also worked as a courier for the LaPorte Savings Bank and as a security officer on Oprah Winfrey’s farm. In addition, Roger was a United States Marine and he liked to add that to his persona. Besides being a dedicated public servant and great co-worker, he was a devoted husband and a wonderful father. He also loved his grandchildren and would never hesitate to tell people that he was a father to their dogs, donkeys and horses. He also enjoyed cooking, fishing, traveling, and John Deere tractors.
On Aug. 12, 2000, he married Jane Gretz, who survives.
Also surviving are his beloved children, Jennifer Bernard-Bildhauser of LaPorte and Christopher (Summer) Bernard of LaPorte; grandchildren, Jordyn, Madison, Amira, Trenton, Violet, Tucker, Chance, and Toy; sister, Donna Maglio; extended family, Eric Hayes and Chris Kottka; brother-in-law, Jim (Debbie) Gretz of Surprise, AZ; sisters-in-law, Margaret (Al) Luther of Racine, WI, and Sue (Ralph) Mazzie of Cochranville, PA; as well as nieces, nephews and numerous friends.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Virginia Ambrose; brother, Greg Bernard; stepbrother, Larry Ambrose; stepsister, Brenda Patterson; and stepfather, James Ambrose.
A Celebration of Life Memorial Service with full military honors will be held at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 11, at Cutler Funeral Home and Cremation Center, LaPorte. Visitation will be Wednesday from 2 to 6:30 p.m. A cremation committal has taken place.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the LaPorte County Small Animal Shelter, 2855 West Ind. 2, LaPorte, IN 46350.
Messages of condolence may be posted below on WNLP as well as at www.cutlerfuneralhome.com.