John Louis Bernard

John Louis Bernard, 78, of Hickory, went to be with his Lord and Savior, on Monday morning, October 13, 2014. He was born in Canonsburg, on April 19, 1936, the son of Edith Antonietta Bernard, of Hickory, and the late Louis Bernard. A 1954 graduate of Chartiers High School, he attended Penn State, and received his Bachelor’s degree from Waynesburg University. He received his Master’s degree in Special Education and Rehabilitation, from the University of Pittsburgh, and completed all the credits for a Doctorate in Rehabilitation. He served with the PA National Guard, from 1959 until 1965. Mr. Bernard was employed by the Commonwealth of PA, Department of Labor and Industry, retiring as Administrator of the Pittsburgh District Office of Vocational rehabilitation. He was the first administrator of the OVR, in Washington, was on the staff of CCAC, for 10 years, and was a licensed Psychologist. He was a member of Hickory United Evangelical Presbyterian Church, where he served as an Elder, beginning in 1968. He served on, and was chairman of various committees in the church, including long-range planning, and stewardship. A 50-year member of the Hickory Lion’s Club, he was also on the Cornerstone Care Board of Washington and Greene Counties, a member of Southwest PENNA Woodland Owner’s Association, and the Italian-American Society of Washington County, and on the Mt. Prospect Cemetery Board, and the SHOUT Board. He enjoyed gardening, planting trees, hunting and traveling. He was a British car enthusiast, and was a member of the Western PA Triumph Association, the former Three Rivers Austin Healey Club, and the West Penn Miata Club. Mr. Bernard enjoyed “cars and coffee” with the many club members. His greatest joy was spending time with his family. “Pappa John” was greatly admired and loved by his 4 grandchildren, Renee Denise and Alexander Michael Bernard, and Allison Jayne and Anna Michelle Helfer. On September 8, 1961, he was united in marriage, to the love of his life, Priscilla Jayne Beaumariage, in Mt. Prospect Presbyterian Church. Surviving, in addition to his mother, wife and grandchildren, are a son, Michael John (Denise) Bernard, of Carnegie, a daughter, Michelle Lynn (Alan J.) Helfer, of Canonsburg, a sister, Carol Cox, of Eighty-Four, nephews, Eric and Jeff Cox, and a sister-in-law, Marjorie Beaumariage, of Hickory. Friends and family will be received on Wednesday, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m., in the William G. Neal Funeral Homes, Ltd., 925 Allison Ave., Washington. Additional visitation will be on Thursday, October 16, from 10 to 11 a.m., the time of services, in Hickory United Evangelical Presbyterian Church. Burial will follow in Mt. Prospect Cemetery, Hickory. Memorial contributions may be made to Hickory United Evangelical Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 97, 210 Main St, Hickory, PA 15340; or the Hickory Lions Club, or the Washington Health System.