James “Jim” D. Berndt, age 65, died unexpectedly on Monday, November 2, 2015 at St. Clare’s Hospital in Weston, WI.
Jim was born on December 6, 1949 to Carlos and Dorothy (Barz) Berndt in Merrill, WI. He attended and graduated from Merrill High School.
Jim enlisted in the US Air Force, and proudly served his country from 1969-1973. When he returned from the service, he married Carol Westfall on May 4, 1974 at the St. Francis Catholic Church in Merrill, WI, a union lasting for over 40 years.
Before retiring, Jim had worked at the Wausau Post Office as a mail handler for many years. Before taking the job at the post office, he was a purchasing agent for the Wausau Insurance Agency.
Jim was a great dad, always watching and cheering for his children in any sport event that they did, and eventually, doing the same for his grandchildren. He was very proud of them and supported them in their sports activities. He would spend time with his children practicing for the next big game! Family was very important to him, and he very much enjoyed teaching his children, Chris and Missy, how to fish. Jim was an avid deer hunter and cherished all the times that he spent with his family at the shack in New Wood. In his younger years, Jim enjoyed playing dartball, softball and horseshoes for Westfall’s Bar. He loved spending time at the cottage on Island Lake, fishing and 4 wheeling with his family. Jim would also take his children to a Brewers game every chance he had. He was a member at St. Stephens United Church of Christ in Merrill, WI. He was a quiet, caring man and will be sadly missed.
Jim is survived by his parents: Carlos and Dorothy Berndt of Merrill, wife: Carol Berndt of Merrill, son: Chris (Sunshine) Berndt of Merrill, daughter: Missy (Joe) Pregler of Ringle, granddaughters: Kennedy and Liberty Berndt, grandsons: Jordan and Jaxson Pregler, sister: Kathy (the late Charles) Case, brother: Terry Berndt, nephew: Tim Case and daughters Ellen Mondeik and Lauren Case, aunts: Miriam (Elgart) Salefske and Kay (the late David) Barz, brother-in-law: John (Jean) Westfall, sister-in-laws: Judy (Dick) Ashbrenner, Geraldine (Larry) Natzke, Irene (David) Mroczenski, and LuAnn (Mark) Schneider, along with many other great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his uncles: Donald Barz and Lylas (Bernice) Berndt, David Barz and Norm (Adeline) Berndt, aunt: Dolores (Don) Dobson, and his father and mother-in-law: Gordie and Katie Westfall.
Funeral Services for Jim will be held on Friday, November 6, 2015 at 11AM at St. Stephen’s United Church of Christ in Merrill, WI. Rev. Kyle Carnes will officiate. Visitation will be held on Thursday, November 5, 2015 from 5PM-8PM at Waid Funeral Home in Merrill and again on Friday, November 6, 2015 from 10AM until the time of the service, at the church. Burial will be at the St Paul’s Cemetery, Corning following the service. Military honors will be performed by the Merrill VFW Post # 1638.
Waid Funeral Home of Merrill is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences can be made at www.waidfuneral.com.