Bernard “Bernie” A. Weiler
1934-2024
Bernard “Bernie” A. Weiler, age 90, of Athens, passed away surrounded by his loving family on Wednesday, July 10, 2024 at his home under the tender care of Hope Hospice. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 18, 2024 at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Athens. Father George Graham will officiate. Interment to follow at the Athens Village Cemetery with Military Honors provided by the Athens Area Vets. Family and friends are welcome from 9 a.m. until time of service Thursday at the church. The Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home in Abbotsford is entrusted with the arrangements.
Bernie was born on Feb. 3, 1934, the son of Victor C. Jr. and Mary (Lavicka) Weiler. He received his 1st – 3rd grade education at Beaver Creek Country School, then continued on at St. Anthony Catholic School and Athens High School.
Bernie was always a hard worker. Along with his farm work at home, as a teenager, he was also a pinsetter at the bowling alley in Athens, worked for the Athens Coop delivering gas, and also did some road construction work.
From 1956-58, he was trained as an Army medic in the 86th Infantry Regiment, stationed in Germany. After being honorably discharged with a rank of SPC 4, he returned home to Athens, and was employed driving semi and hauling freight for Midland Coop before being transferred to their LP gas division.
Bernie married Sharon R. Mason on May 28, 1960 at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Athens. In 1961, they moved to Arcadia, WI, where he was in charge of finding the land and helping to build a new LP gas plant for Midland Coop, which he then became the manager. In 1964, Bernie was transferred to Crystal, MN to become the LP specialist and area technician. He put on many training seminars and safety classes about the LP business, brought in many new customers and was involved in designing new innovations. Bernie decided to change careers in 1969 and became part owner of a vending machine business in Byram, CT. For two years, his wife, Sharon, hand made all the sandwiches to fill his machines. He returned to Athens in 1971 to take over the family farm when his father became ill. Bernie and Sharon ran the family dairy farm until they sold the cows and retired from milking in 2003. He still continued doing fieldwork until his passing. One of his most loved jobs was driving school bus in Athens for 34 years. The kids on his bus sure gave him a lot of laughs!
Bernie wasn’t only about work however. He often talked about all the barn and ballroom dances he used to go to. He loved his polkas and was a heck of a dancer. Bernie played in softball leagues, had years of great fun with his bowling team, and was a pretty competitive player when it came to Sheepshead! He could talk to anyone about almost anything; he never met a stranger!
Bernie is survived by his five children, Mark Weiler of Athens, Bruce (Brenda) Weiler of Dorchester, Russell (Naoma) Weiler of Athens, Patricia (Brian) Ellenbecker of Athens, and Bernie (Kari) Weiler of Kiel; nine grandchildren, Joshua, Jeffrey, April, Amber, Austin, Justin, Megan, Nathan and Miranda; seven greatgrandchildren, Isaac and Chase, Huxley and Hawkens, Nayvie, Greylen and Maela. He is further survived by his sister, Helene Michlig of Milwaukee; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; his brothers, Joseph and George and his sisters, Eleanor Mason, Irene Miller and Virginia Pepke.
Family and friends may express condolences online at www.maurinaschilling.com
Paid Obituary 155510
