Nov 10, 2016 Harris Funeral Home
Ralph James Bernhardt, 92, of Whitehall, passed peacefully into his Lord's Gardens on Thursday, November 10, 2016 at Heartland Health Care Center in Whitehall. He was born December 12, 1923 to Arthur and Esther Bernhardt, the eldest of their six children. Ralph was a member of St. James Lutheran Church in Montague.
He graduated from Whitehall High School, attended Michigan State College's Practical Floriculture program and graduated from Rittners School of Floral Design in Boston Massachusetts in 1951.
He owned Scenic Gardens Floral Shop in Whitehall which his father started. He also worked at Misco, retiring after twenty-eight years, while still owning his floral shop. Ralph was the first scoutmaster (1952-53) for White Lake Troup 1048 and often spoke of his scouting days.
Flowers were one of Ralph's greatest passions, both growing and arranging them. He supplied beautiful floral arrangements and plants for hundreds of weddings and gatherings for the White Lake area. He also enjoyed traveling. He enjoyed the beauty of White Lake from his front porch rocker, watching the swans, boats, beautiful sunsets and even the storms.
Ralph is survived by two younger brothers, Kenneth (Mary) Bernhardt and Merle Bernhardt; nephews, Richard (Stephanie) Bernhardt, Merle D. (Nancy) Bernhardt, Fredrick (Roxanne) Bernhardt, and Lance (Justine) Bernhardt; nieces, JoAnne (Roger) Silk, and Gloria Bernhardt. His nieces and nephews were like children to him. He also is survived by many great and great-great-nieces and nephews whom he enjoyed.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Esther Bernhardt; stepmother, Hulda Bernhardt; brother, James Bernhardt; and sisters, Carol and Marilyn Bernhardt. Lovingly called RJ, Ralph will be missed by his family and friends. Interment will be in Oakhurst Cemetery in Whitehall.
Ralph James Bernhardt, 92, of Whitehall, passed peacefully into his Lord's Gardens on Thursday, November 10, 2016 at Heartland Health Care Center in Whitehall. He was born December 12, 1923 to Arthur and Esther Bernhardt, the eldest of their six children. Ralph was a member of St. James Lutheran Church in Montague.
He graduated from Whitehall High School, attended Michigan State College's Practical Floriculture program and graduated from Rittners School of Floral Design in Boston Massachusetts in 1951.
He owned Scenic Gardens Floral Shop in Whitehall which his father started. He also worked at Misco, retiring after twenty-eight years, while still owning his floral shop. Ralph was the first scoutmaster (1952-53) for White Lake Troup 1048 and often spoke of his scouting days.
Flowers were one of Ralph's greatest passions, both growing and arranging them. He supplied beautiful floral arrangements and plants for hundreds of weddings and gatherings for the White Lake area. He also enjoyed traveling. He enjoyed the beauty of White Lake from his front porch rocker, watching the swans, boats, beautiful sunsets and even the storms.
Ralph is survived by two younger brothers, Kenneth (Mary) Bernhardt and Merle Bernhardt; nephews, Richard (Stephanie) Bernhardt, Merle D. (Nancy) Bernhardt, Fredrick (Roxanne) Bernhardt, and Lance (Justine) Bernhardt; nieces, JoAnne (Roger) Silk, and Gloria Bernhardt. His nieces and nephews were like children to him. He also is survived by many great and great-great-nieces and nephews whom he enjoyed.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Esther Bernhardt; stepmother, Hulda Bernhardt; brother, James Bernhardt; and sisters, Carol and Marilyn Bernhardt. Lovingly called RJ, Ralph will be missed by his family and friends. Interment will be in Oakhurst Cemetery in Whitehall.
Nov 10, 2016 Harris Funeral Home
Ralph James Bernhardt, 92, of Whitehall, passed peacefully into his Lord's Gardens on Thursday, November 10, 2016 at Heartland Health Care Center in Whitehall. He was born December 12, 1923 to Arthur and Esther Bernhardt, the eldest of their six children. Ralph was a member of St. James Lutheran Church in Montague.
He graduated from Whitehall High School, attended Michigan State College's Practical Floriculture program and graduated from Rittners School of Floral Design in Boston Massachusetts in 1951.
He owned Scenic Gardens Floral Shop in Whitehall which his father started. He also worked at Misco, retiring after twenty-eight years, while still owning his floral shop. Ralph was the first scoutmaster (1952-53) for White Lake Troup 1048 and often spoke of his scouting days.
Flowers were one of Ralph's greatest passions, both growing and arranging them. He supplied beautiful floral arrangements and plants for hundreds of weddings and gatherings for the White Lake area. He also enjoyed traveling. He enjoyed the beauty of White Lake from his front porch rocker, watching the swans, boats, beautiful sunsets and even the storms.
Ralph is survived by two younger brothers, Kenneth (Mary) Bernhardt and Merle Bernhardt; nephews, Richard (Stephanie) Bernhardt, Merle D. (Nancy) Bernhardt, Fredrick (Roxanne) Bernhardt, and Lance (Justine) Bernhardt; nieces, JoAnne (Roger) Silk, and Gloria Bernhardt. His nieces and nephews were like children to him. He also is survived by many great and great-great-nieces and nephews whom he enjoyed.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Esther Bernhardt; stepmother, Hulda Bernhardt; brother, James Bernhardt; and sisters, Carol and Marilyn Bernhardt. Lovingly called RJ, Ralph will be missed by his family and friends. Interment will be in Oakhurst Cemetery in Whitehall.
Ralph James Bernhardt, 92, of Whitehall, passed peacefully into his Lord's Gardens on Thursday, November 10, 2016 at Heartland Health Care Center in Whitehall. He was born December 12, 1923 to Arthur and Esther Bernhardt, the eldest of their six children. Ralph was a member of St. James Lutheran Church in Montague.
He graduated from Whitehall High School, attended Michigan State College's Practical Floriculture program and graduated from Rittners School of Floral Design in Boston Massachusetts in 1951.
He owned Scenic Gardens Floral Shop in Whitehall which his father started. He also worked at Misco, retiring after twenty-eight years, while still owning his floral shop. Ralph was the first scoutmaster (1952-53) for White Lake Troup 1048 and often spoke of his scouting days.
Flowers were one of Ralph's greatest passions, both growing and arranging them. He supplied beautiful floral arrangements and plants for hundreds of weddings and gatherings for the White Lake area. He also enjoyed traveling. He enjoyed the beauty of White Lake from his front porch rocker, watching the swans, boats, beautiful sunsets and even the storms.
Ralph is survived by two younger brothers, Kenneth (Mary) Bernhardt and Merle Bernhardt; nephews, Richard (Stephanie) Bernhardt, Merle D. (Nancy) Bernhardt, Fredrick (Roxanne) Bernhardt, and Lance (Justine) Bernhardt; nieces, JoAnne (Roger) Silk, and Gloria Bernhardt. His nieces and nephews were like children to him. He also is survived by many great and great-great-nieces and nephews whom he enjoyed.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Esther Bernhardt; stepmother, Hulda Bernhardt; brother, James Bernhardt; and sisters, Carol and Marilyn Bernhardt. Lovingly called RJ, Ralph will be missed by his family and friends. Interment will be in Oakhurst Cemetery in Whitehall.
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