MICHAEL R. BERNIUS

Michael Bernius

Michael R. Bernius, 57, of Vermont died at 11:15 a.m. Aug. 19, 2012, at Vermont American Legion.

He was born Aug. 27, 1954, in Peoria, the son of Thurman and Jean West Bernius Jr. He married Phyllis Parry on Sept. 23, 1995, in Vermont. She survives.

Also surviving are five daughters, Nikki (and Tom) Krischel of Dwight and Angela Owens, Rhonda Bernius, Richelle Bernius and Danielle Bernius, all of Peoria; three stepsons, Scott (and Beth) Parry of Forsythe, Mont., Troy (and Brenda) Hunter of Ipava and Brad (and Evonne) Hunter of Vermont; two stepdaughters, Ketra (and Jeff) Lundeen of Eagle River, Alaska, and Misty (and Doug) Thomas of Vermont; his father, Thurman Bernius Jr. of Metamora, two sisters, Kathy (and Don) Cook of Bartonville and Janice (and Steve) Vicary of East Peoria; 30 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his mother; one stepson, Jeff Hunter; one grandson, Shad Bernius; and one sister, Judith Barnes.

He was a U.S. Navy veteran.

He currently worked at Vermont American Legion.

He was a member of Ipava American Legion Post #17 and Ipava Masonic Lodge #213 AF and AM.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at Shawgo Memorial Home in Astoria with Reverend Robert Green officiating. Military Rites will be provided by Ipava American Legion Post #17. Visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at the memorial home with Masonic Rites at 8 p.m. by Ipava Masonic Lodge. Cremation rites will follow the services with inurnment at Vermont Cemetery at a later date.

Memorials may be made to Mike Bernius Memorial Fund, c/o Vermont State Bank, Vermont, IL 61484.

Published in the Astoria South Fulton Argus on 8/22/2012