Bernard J West

Bernard John West, 91, of Fort Gratiot, died Saturday, December 29, 2018.

He was born May 29, 1927 in St. Clair to the late Martin and Frances West. He married Helen M. Emigh on April 21, 1951 in St. Stephen Catholic Church.

Bernard served in the United States Navy. He was a master plumber and co-owner at DiDuca Associates. He was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church.

He enjoyed golfing, camping, fishing and spending time with his wife and family.

He is survived by his wife, Helen; his children, Catherine Koppel, Jean (Timm) Lenn, Stephen (Linda) West, Darlene (Wayne) Tillman, Patricia (Ted) West-Findley, Brian (Lori) West and Dianne (Christopher) Lorenz; ten grandchildren; thirteen great-grandchildren; and his siblings, Mary Quandt and Donna (Pete) Wurmlinger; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by seven brothers and two sisters, his son-in-law, Mark Koppel; and one great-grandchild.

Visitation will be 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Wednesday in the Karrer-Simpson Funeral Home. A Rosary will be recited at 3:30 p.m. in the funeral home.

Mr. West will lie in state at St. Mary’s Catholic Church on Thursday, January 3, 2019 from 10 a.m. until the time of the Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m. The Reverend Zbigniew Zomerfeled will officiate.

The Rite of Committal will be in Mt. Hope Cemetery. Military honors will be conducted by the United States Navy and the St. Clair County Allied Veterans Honor Guard.

Memorials may be made to Blue Water Hospice Home or St. Mary’s Catholic Church.