Kenneth Fredrick Bernhardt, age 92, of Whitehall, passed away peacefully surrounded by family, Tuesday, April 24th, 2018. Kenneth was born on July 6th 1925, to Arthur and Ester Bernhardt. Ken graduated from Whitehall High School. On July 28th, 1949, he married Mary Johnson and together they were blessed with 2 children and 68 years of marriage. Ken served his country proudly in the US Army. He spent a lifetime helping others, joining the Whitehall Volunteer Fire Department at 24 and helping organize the White Lake Ambulance Service in 1968 and served as its first director for 17 years. He was a lifetime member of Lebanon Lutheran Church, a lifetime Whitehall resident, and a retiree from Whitehall Leather Company. Ken enjoyed spending time with his family, woodworking, and caring for his yard. He loved traveling to sunny places and following University of Michigan Football on TV and in person, including attending a Rose Bowl game. At 92, you could still find him riding his mower, digging up weeds, and shoveling snow; as he was very self-reliant. Ken 'lived simply and loved like crazy!"

Ken is dearly missed and survived by: his loving wife, Mary (Johnson); daughter, JoAnne(Roger)Silk; son, Richard (Stephanie) Bernhardt; 5 grandchildren, Shelly (Nick) Berry, Jeffery Silk, Jeremy (Karrie) Bernhardt, Renae (Brian) Pike, Nate (Jessica) Bernhardt; 9 great-grandchildren, Hannah, Corbin, Payton, Rylan, Addyson, Shelbie, Seth, Trevin, Kamrin, and Jaxson; brother, Merle Bernhardt; and many loving nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by: his parents, Arthur and Ester Bernhardt; stepmother, Hulda Bernhardt; brothers, Ralph Bernhardt and James Bernhardt; and sisters, Carol Bernhardt and Marilyn Bernhardt.

Funeral services will be conducted at 12:00 PM, Monday, April 30, 2018, at Lebanon Lutheran Church, 1101 S. Mears Avenue, Whitehall, MI 49461, with Pastor Doug Ogden officiating. Visitation will be held from 11:00 AM until time of services at the church. Internment will take place in Oakhurst Cemetery in Whitehall. Memorial contributions can be made to Lebanon Lutheran Church or the Harbor Hospice Foundation. Beacon Cremation & funeral Service-White Lake Chapel, in Whitehall, is in charge of arrangements.