Wesseler, Bernie

Bernie was a proud father, grandfather, and great grandfather. He was married to the love of his life, Janet (Dudley) Wesseler, for 61 years before she passed in 2020. Bernie and Janet were married on his birthday in 1959 and were blessed with four children. Bernie loved to go out dancing on the weekends with his wife at the local legions, barn dances, and Hollywood Tavern. You would often find him with one of his grandchildren sharing his love of fishing, going out to eat, and ice cream dates. He looked forward to Sunday dinner every week when he would go to Skyline and enjoy his favorite 3-way. Bernie was an active fan of sporting events especially if his grandchildren were playing.

Bernie enjoyed farming his slice of heaven in New Alsace that comprised of milk cattle, hay, corn and many other vegetables. In addition to farming, Bernard also got up at 5am every day to drive to Evendale where he worked in the warehouse at Formica for many years. He had a fleet of Allis Chalmers tractors of which he was very proud and refused to use anything else. He had one of the tractors restored and enjoyed taking it to shows. His children and grandchildren have fond memories of riding on the tractors with him, sitting on his lap steering, or on the toolbox enjoying the ride. He could be seen sporting his love of the orange tractors with his very worn hat he sported every day.

Not only did he love farming and tractors, he loved everything farmer related. After his retirement from Formica, one of his favorite fall activities was to drive a horse drawn trolley at Vogt’s Farm. He enjoyed being a part of the kids and families’ lives when choosing their pumpkins for the season. He loved it so much that he bought a trolley of his own to drive in local parades. Another fond memory that family, friends and community members recall is Bernie entering his restored doctor’s buggy in these parades as well.

Bernie is survived by three of his children; Bernie (Jennifer) Wesseler, Anita Boppeler, Lori (Rich) Sweeney, son-in-law James Grafe, siblings Raymond Wesseler, Frances Dichen, and Rosalia Niehoff; grandchildren Phillip Wesseler, Steven Boppeler, Shane Sweeney, Lindsey (Anthony) Sweeney-Bittner, and Patrick Sweeney; great grandchildren Emery, Toria, and Serena; nieces, nephews, and Godchildren, as well as cousins. Bernie is preceded in death by his parents George and Gertrude Wesseler, wife Janet Wesseler, daughter Connie Wesseler, son-in-law Ben Boppeler, and sibings Sylvester Wesseler, Aloysius Wesseler, Agnes Burwinkel, Martha Cutter, and Viola Pearce.

Visitation for Bernie will be held on Tuesday, February 7 from 9:30am – 11:30am St. Paul’s Catholic Church of All Saints Parish. Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11:30am immediately followed by burial at the church cemetery. For those unable to attend, the Mass will be live streamed at https://www.youtube.com/user/aspweeklyhomily. Memorials can be made to St. Paul’s Cemetery Fund or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Memorials will be taken at the visitation or can be mailed to the funeral home. Family and friends are encouraged to leave condolences at www.andres-wuestefeldfh.com.