Bernard Eugene Strode, 92, was born Feb. 24, 1930, in Vermont, Ill., to Marvin and Delma (Haney) Strode. He died at Boone Hospital Center Saturday, Nov. 26.
Strode graduated from Vermont High School in 1947 and served in the U.S. Navy. He married Janis Howell in Ipava, Ill., in 1951 and they shared 71 years together. He farmed with his father-in-law for nine years in Illinois. In 1962, he moved his family to Laddonia, Mo., to a farm located at Baysinger Corner. Bernard retired from farming in 1994 and moved to Mexico, Mo.
Bernard and Janis spent many summers in Wisconsin and Canada fishing with friends. Bernard and Janis enjoyed traveling to Hawaii, Italy and Switzerland. Sports were a love of his life. He enjoyed coaching his children’s ball games and loved to watch the grandchildren and great-grandchildren’s sporting events. He was a devoted Chicago Cubs fan and was thrilled to be able to watch the Cubs win the World Series in 2016.
Strode played countless competitive card games with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Often, he would say,” I’m probably the best card player here.” Bernard and Janis also enjoyed 25 winters spent in Texas.
Bernard was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Mexico.
Survivors include his wife, Janis; daughters, Mrs. Susan (Robert) Wilburn of Laddonia and Mrs. Becky (Rick) Twellman of Silex; son, Andrew (Linda) Strode of Overland Park, Kansas; grandchildren, Jay and Mark Wilburn, Eric Twellman, Melinda Grateke, Megan Heman, Maggie Harrington and Evan Strode; and 19 great-grandchildren.
His parents; three brothers; three sisters; an infant son, Alvin Ross; and two grandchildren, Daniel and Kayla Wilburn, all died earlier.
Services were at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 30, at the First Presbyterian Church in Mexico with Rev. Dr. Susan Presley officiating. Burial followed in East Lawn Memorial Park.
Visitation was Tuesday evening from 5-7 p.m. at Arnold Funeral Home in Mexico.
Memorial donations may be made to the First Presbyterian Church in Mexico. They may be sent in care of Arnold Funeral Home, 425 S. Jefferson St., Mexico, MO 65265.
Online condolences may be left at www.arnoldfh.com.