Bernard Lochner

Bernard “Bernie” Lochner, 76, of Benton Harbor, passed away Sunday, April 15, 2012 at Lakeland Hospital in St. Joseph. A Mass will be held 11:00 A.M. Friday, April 20, 2012 at St. Bernard Catholic Church, 555 Delaware, Benton Harbor with Fr. William Jacobs Jr. officiating. Friends may visit from 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. with a rosary recited at 7:00 P.M. Thursday, April 19, 2012 at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Memorials may be made to St. Bernard Catholic Church. Those wishing to share a memory of Bernard online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Bernard was born January 6, 1936 in Benton Harbor, MI to Raymond & Margaret (Burke) Lochner. He graduated from St. John’s High School in Benton Harbor in 1953 and then attended Benton Harbor Junior College. He served his country in the United States Navy from 1955 until 1957. He worked for Whirlpool for over 36 years. In 1971 he married Elaine Nitz. Bernard was a member of the Benton Harbor Moose Lodge 1570 and Knights of Columbus and was a past Exalted Ruler of the Benton Harbor Elks Lodge 544. Bernard is survived by his wife Elaine Lochner of Benton Harbor; son Brett Lochner of Benton Harbor; brother Donald (Fritzi) Lochner of St. Joseph; niece Kristin (Scott) VanKirk of Portage, MI; nephew Scott (Shawna) Lochner of Schaumburg, IL and many other nieces and nephews. Bernard was preceded in death by his parents.