James Benjamin BERNARD was a son of Adrian BERNARD and Emma (DARDEN) BERNARD.

Among his siblins were:
Lorena (BERNARD) MORA
Lillian (BERNARD) LeBLANC
Shirley BERNARD
Donald BERNARD
Milton BERNARD
Ernest BERNARD
Edwin BERNARD
Allen BERNARD
Gertrude (BERNARD) EDDLEMON
Hazel BERNARD

He was the widower of Shirley (MARKS) BERNARD.

He was the divorced husband of Irene LADNIER.

His children include:
Dawn BERNARD
James D. BERNARD
Adrian J. "Joey" BERNARD
Brenda (BERNARD) CLEMENTS
Cheryl (BERNARD) LADNIER
Julie (BERNARD) PERSILVER

James "Chief" Benjamin Bernard, 72, a native and resident of Charenton, passed away peacefully at his home on Monday, June 21, 2010, at 9:35 p.m.

Mr. James is survived by two sons James D. Bernard and his wife, Monica, of Centerville and Adrian "Joey" J. Bernard and his wife, Shelby, of Charenton; four daughters Brenda Bernard Clements and her husband, Wade, of Charenton, Cheryl Bernard Ladnier of Charenton, Julie Bernard Persilver and her husband, Barry, of Charenton and Dawn Bernard of Charenton; six stepchildren Ricky Dugas of Arnaudville, Darlene Sokolowicz and her husband, Tony, of Cecilia, Robert Dugas and his wife, Brenda, of Grand Coteau, Charles Ritchie Dugas and his wife, Tonya, of Arnaudville, Paige Guidry and her husband, Brad, of Cecilia and Jonathan Dugas of Cecilia; two sisters Lorena Bernard Mora of Charenton and Lillian Bernard LeBlanc of Charenton; his former wife Irene Ladiner; 17 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; eight step-grandchildren; six step-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley Marks Bernard; his parents, Adrian Bernard and Emma Darden Bernard; stepson Freddie Dugas; six brothers Shirley, Donald, Milton, Ernest, Edwin and Allen Bernard; and two sisters Gertrude Bernard Eddlemon and Hazel Bernard.

The family requests that visiting hours be observed Wednesday, June 23, 2010, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., with a rosary being prayed at 7 p.m. at Ibert's Mortuary in Franklin. Visitation will resume Thursday, June 24th from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Ibert's Mortuary.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Thursday, June 24th at 2 p.m. at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Charenton with Father William Crumley officiating. Burial will follow in the Chitimacha Mausoleum.

Acting as pallbearers will be Benjamin Clements, Jordy Bernard, Brent Burgess, Needron Bernard, Jonathan Dugas and Aby Lavergne.

Personal condolences may be left for the Bernard family at www.iberts.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Ibert's Mortuary Inc., 1007 Main St., Franklin, 828-5426.