Obituary of Bernard R. Weigle

Bernard R."Bernie" Weigle of Horseheads, NY passed away peacefully on June 13, 2018 surrounded by his loving family at the age of 96. Bernie was born October 11, 1921 in Austin Heights, PA to Stanley and Josephine Piekarski Weigle. His parents moved to Elmira, NY when he was very young to provide a better life for him and his siblings. With the move came the Great Depression, and Bernie learned at an early age the importance of responsibility and hard work. He helped his family during those times by picking vegetables, delivering newspapers, and setting pins at the Rossi Bowling Lanes. After graduating from Elmira Free Academy in 1939, he went to work at the Langwell Hotel where he had a variety of responsibilities including desk clerk, bartender, and head waiter, as well as, learning a variety of life lessons. He eventually went to work at the Eclipse Machine Company, then WWII began. He was a proud veteran having served our country with the US Army 3rd Infantry Division. Bernie fought in the Rhineland Campaign. He received several medals for his service including the Bronze Star. He was a member of the Clarence R. Oliver American Legion Post #154 in Elmira Heights, NY, as well as, the Disabled American Veterans. After he returned from the war, he went back to work at the Eclipse. He married his beautiful and beloved wife, Florence Kennedy Weigle, on June 29, 1946. They celebrated 45 wonderful years together before she passed away on January 24, 1992. In addition to his wife and parents, Bernie was predeceased by his son-in-law, John M. Russell, his brothers Raymond, Walter, Edward, James and Paul Weigle, his sisters Mary Warmus and Bernice Kapral, and special friend, Tess Banfield. Bernie was an avid sportsman, enjoying both fishing and hunting. As a young man he managed several championship baseball teams in the city of Elmira. As a result of his years working as a pinsetter, he became a consistent high average bowler with 700s to his credit, winning many championship games. He was a member of the Elmira Bowling Association Hall of Fame and the White Eagles Hall of Fame. While working at the Eclipse, he also had a landscaping business at his home. He landscaped many homes and churches in the Elmira and Horseheads areas. One of his proudest accomplishments was the landscaped grounds at St. Mary Our Mother Church, Horseheads, NY. Bernie was a devout and dedicated communicant of St. Mary Our Mother Church for over 60 years serving as an usher and as a member of the Parish Council and Finance and Building Committees. Bernie retired from Facet Enterprises, Elmira Heights, NY as the Director of Materials after 38 years of dedicated service. Bernie loved his family and friends and treasured the time he spent with them. We appreciate all the life lessons he taught us including having faith in God and showing charity to others. Bernie is survived by his children: Carol Russell, Raymond and Margaret Weigle, and Patricia Weigle, with whom he lived; granddaughters: Sarah Weigle-Garove (Bruce Hall), Kathleen Weigle and Rachel Weigle; six great grandchildren; one great great granddaughter; brother-in-law: Glenn Bliss of Wellsboro, PA; special cousin and fishing buddy Bill Baker; several nieces, nephews, and cousins; and a host of caring friends. Relatives and friends are invited to call at the LYNCH FUNERAL HOME 318 BROAD ST HORSEHEADS, NY on Sunday, June 17, 2018 from 3-6 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 AM on Monday June 18, 2018 at St. Mary Our Mother Church in Horseheads, NY, with Father Christopher Linsler officiating. Bernie will be laid to rest next to his beloved wife Florence in St. Peter & Paul's Cemetery in Elmira, NY where Full Military Honors will be accorded Mr. Weigle. Donations in Bernie's name may be made to St. Mary Our Mother Church, St. Mary Our Mother School, Notre Dame High School or CareFirst. We would like to acknowledge and thank the staffs of Kindred at Home, the Veterans Administration, Family Services and CareFirst for their support and care of our father, especially Liz and Beth.