July 5, 2019 at 4:31 p.m.
James A. Berard
James A. Berard
He was born Sept. 21, 1925 in Hayward to James and Delores (Sabin) Berard. He attended school in Hayward and after graduating high school, he joined the Marine Corps for three years during World War II, where he saw front line action in such campaigns as Tarawa, Saipan, Guam and Iwo Jima. He was awarded the Purple Heart after being wounded on Saipan and the Bronze Star for his outstanding conduct on Iwo Jima during the first three days of that campaign. He was on the LST779 boat where the American Flag was gotten from to be raised by Marines on Iwo Jima.
After leaving active duty with the Marines in 1945, he enrolled at the University of Wisconsin where he earned his bachelor's degree in bio-chemistry in 1950. For nine months during this period, he worked at the Rhinelander Division, St. Regis Paper Co., and joined the company permanently on June 26, 1950 as a chemist. He was recalled into the Marines for one year during the Korean War and returned to Rhinelander on Sept. 28, 1951. He was promoted to Chief Control Chemist in 1954 and worked his way up to Vice President of Manufacturing, before retiring in September of 1981. He was quite active in Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts when his sons were young and was involved with the Town of Pine Lake Government as Supervisor and as Chairman. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing, and bowling.
James married Delores Gilbert of Rhinelander on Oct. 9, 1948. He is survived by his sons Michael of Milwaukee, Gregory (Diane Bruyette) and John of Rhinelander; Paul (Amy Townsend) of Harshaw; Daughters Denise (Richard "Heavy") Weibel and Michelle Berard of Rhinelander. Grandchildren Shawn (Heather Huffaker) Berard, Carie Berard, James R. (Carrie Novotny) Berard, Lindsey (Dan) Wolter, Heather (Mike) Plourde, Amanda Berard, Brandon Berard, Kevin (Amy Loeb) Berard, and Joshawa McGeshick. 17 great grandchildren and one great great grandchild, brother Russell (Kathryn Sonby) of Silver Bay, Minn.; Sister Cheryl (Terry) Ekholm of La Crescent, Minn.; Brother-in-Law Larry Hall of Schaumburg, Ill.; many nieces, nephews, cousins and loving in-laws.
He was preceded in death by his wife Delores Berard; son James (Jimmer) Berard; parents James and Delores Berard; granddaughter Chasity Berard; sisters Blanche Duehr and Barbara Hall; brother-in-law George Duehr.
James was a born-again follower of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. At my resurrection, Jesus Christ and The Holy Spirit will take me by the hands and lead me to ever lasting life with God Almighty.
A graveside memorial service with military honors will take place on Saturday, July 20, 2019 at 10 a.m. at the Forest Home Cemetery in Rhinelander.
Funeral Arrangements have been entrusted to Hildebrand Funeral Home & Cremation Specialists, 24 E. Davenport Street, Rhinelander, Wisconsin 54501, 715-365-4343. You are invited to light a candle, sign the guestbook, leave a photo or an online condolence at www.hildebrandrussfh.com
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