Bruce H. Barnard Obituary (1925 - 2012)

Bruce H. Barnard, 86, of Sawyer, MI., passed away Thursday, Feb. 23, 2012 at Buchanan Meadows, Buchanan, MI. Mr. Barnard, the eldest of seven, was born April 3, 1925 in Westville, IN., to Ralph H. & Dorothy Alice (Hopkins) Barnard. Mr. Barnard enlisted in the U.S. Army upon his graduation from High School in Danville, IL in 1943, serving in the European Theater until the end of the war. He was awarded the Bronze Star. Mr. Barnard attended The University of Connecticut and The University of Illinois working toward an Electrical Engineering degree. After the war there was such an influx of G.I.'s attending the University of Illinois, that the U of I ran an ad in the paper asking residents to open their home to the returning veterans. Mr. Barnard accepted one of those generous offerings and that is how he met his future wife Mary Lou DeHart. They were married on July 24, 1948. After living in Champaign, Peoria, Springfield, and Riverdale, IL they settled in Chicago in the early 1950's, first in the Grove Heights neighborhood then in the Beverly neighborhood. In 1985 they sold their home in Chicago and moved to Bethany Beach, Sawyer, MI. Mr. Barnard held an electrical contractor license in the City of Chicago. In 1964 he founded Barnard Elevator Company, installing, servicing, repairing, and modernizing passenger and freight elevators. He later started a second business, Bruja, (Bruce & James) where he fabricated and installed his own elevator cabs. Throughout Mr. Barnard's life his love of Jesus and his obedience to God's calling was evident in his daily life. He attended Moody Bible Institute taking night classes in Biblical Study. He was a member of the Gideon's and The Chicago Christian Businessmen prayer group, downtown Chicago. He became active with Youth for Christ and was instrumental in helping Ron Hutchcraft, hosting meetings and get-togethers on the Southside of Chicago. He was faithful in his calling as Chairman and member of The Board of Trustees of Pacific Garden Missions for 32 years. He faithfully served in his community and church: as a Boy Scout leader and, along with his wife, he organized the youth group at Grove Heights Baptist Church and Kids Club at Redeemer (now Beverly) Evangelical Covenant Church. At both churches he faithfully served as Sunday School Superintendant, Sunday School teacher, and a member on several different leadership boards. He faithfully served The Bethany Beach Corporate Association in a variety of capacities including as a member and chair of various committees. As a Board member, Mr. Barnard served as President of The Bethany Beach Corporate Association (1983-1985). Mr. Barnard was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph H. & Dorothy Alice (Hopkins) Barnard, and his wife, Mary Lou (DeHart) Barnard. He is survived by his son, Stephen H. (Norma) Barnard of Plainfield, IL.; daughters, Suzanne (Richard) Smith of Chicago, IL; Sandra Lee (Wayne) Gustafson of Granger, IN, Sheryl Ann (David) Arnold of Clarendon Hills, IL.; 13 grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren; 3 brothers, 3 sisters, and many nieces and nephews. Services will be held at 12 noon EST, Saturday, Mar. 3, 2012, at Harbert Community Church, 6444 Harbert Rd., Harbert, MI. Rev Donald Nelson will officiate. Friends may call from 10 a.m. EST until the time of the service on Saturday. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery, Chikaming Twp, MI. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Pacific Garden Mission - 1458 S. Canal Street, Chicago, IL 60607.