(1928 Newspaper Obituary)

J. P. Berns Buried At Campbell

Neighbors and friends sympathize with Mrs. Berns and family in the passing of husband and father. The departure of friends with whom we have been associated so long and have known as friends and citizens always brings a touch of sorrow and regret to all of us. There is no one that can take their place.

Obituary

Joseph P. Berns was born at Plano, Kendell county, Illinois, March 17, 1863; died at Bladen, Nebr., January 12, 1928, aged 64 years, 9 months and 26 days. He was the son of Ernest and Christina Berns, and one of eight children, seven boys and one girl.

When two years of age he moved with his parents to Chebanse, Illinois. In the year 1891 he came to Nebraska. He was united in marriage with Miss Annie M. Haller, on January 25, 1892, at Red Cloud, Nebr. The family resided at Wymore, Nebr., for nine years. In the spring of 1901 they moved to Webster county, Nebr., and took up their residence upon the farm four miles south of Bladen, which has since been their home. To this union twelve children were born, seven daughters and five sons. Two daughters preceded their father in death, one during infancy and the other at the age of eight.

To mourn his passing are his wife, five sons, Joseph, Henry, Ernest, Herman and Willie, all of Bladen, five daughters, Mrs. Millard McNair of Bladen, Mrs. Elmo Clutter of Inavale, Nebr., Mrs. Joe Dusek and the Misses Marie and Frances Berns of Bladen, four brothers, Henry, Anthony, Otto and Herman Berns of Chebanse, Illinois, and seven grandchildren, besides a multitude of friends.

Mr. Berns was a man who had great love for his family and his home. His own welfare he always placed secondary to that of his wife and his children. During his decline in health which carried him in a very short time from a stalwart man to the clutches of disease and death, he never uttered a complaint of his condition.

Honesty was his policy and he believed in giving a square deal to all with whom he came in contact.

In the twenty-seven years of his residence in the community, he made the acquaintance of practically every resident, and every acquaintance was his friend. He had a pleasant personality and a jovial nature that made it a pleasure to be in his presence.

Having been gifted with remarkable ability in solving mechanical problems, Mr. Berns has given valuable assistance and information to every neighbor, and few there are who do not credit him with numerous helpful ideas they have gained.

An outstanding characteristic of his life was his love for outdoor life. He possessed rare ability as a marksman, and this talent he retained in spite of his advanced age.

He will be greatly missed from the community and the high place he held in the hearts of his neighbors will be difficult to fill.

Funeral services were conducted at St. Ann's Catholic church in Campbell Saturday morning, Father Grogan officiating, and interment was made in the Campbell cemetery.

Card of Thanks. We take this way of extending our thanks to the many friends and neighbors who so kindly assisted us during the illness and death of our beloved husband and father, and also for the many beautiful floral offerings. Mrs. J. P. Berns and Children