Bernard F. Boyle

Bernard Francis ( Bernie) Boyle, 78 , passed away on October 5, 2011 at the Bethany Home in Minden, NE. A longtime resident of Kearney, NE, his smile, energy, and presence will be missed by family and friends. The Boyle family invites you to join them for a celebration of Bernie’s life with a 10:30 A.M. Mass of Christian Burial at St. James Catholic Church on Tuesday,October 11, 2011. Visitation will be held 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. Monday at the Church with a Vigil following at 7:00 P.M. Internment will be 2:30 p.m. at the Fort McPherson Military Cemetery in Maxwell, NE with military honors provided by the Nebraska National Guard in conjunction with the North Platte Honors Team. The family requests donations to the Nebraska Kidney Foundation or UNK School of Nursing Boyle Family Scholarship in lieu of flowers. Condolences may be submitted at www.osrfh.com. Arrangements entrusted to O’Brien-Straatmann-Redinger Funeral Home of Kearney. We thank all of you for being friends, business associates, golf buddies and supporters of our Dad for many years. He was born on June 18, 1933 on a small homestead just north of Hershey Nebraska. His father, Clement, and mother, Bertha, raised Bernie and his two brothers, Dan and John. Typical to Sandhills farm families, Bernie’s young life was filled with hard work doing farm chores and schoolwork. He enjoyed both sports and time spent in the rodeo arena. Growing up in the depression era was difficult at best, yet through these experiences Bernie gained skills and patience that benefitted him throughout his life. He graduated from Hershey Senior High School in 1951. He entered the Army in 1953 and was honorably discharged in 1955. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Education from Kearney State Teachers College in 1961, where he also competed in collegiate football. He married in 1957 and had two sons, Jeff and Todd. His love of children and youth were ever present, visible with his employment at Nebraska Boys training school (now called the YDC), leading the football team to their first ever title. He continued supporting Kearney’s youth through his involvement in Kearney Little League and Senior League Baseball, and youth golf. He was a loyal Loper supporter, including football, basketball and recently women’s volleyball. A true Nebraskan, Bernie was a Big Red football fan. A devoted employee of the West Pharmaceutical Company for 26 years, Bernie was the plant personnel manager. His farm upbringing was often seen in his work style, disciplined and sometimes tough. He was respected and hired many folks that needed ‘a break’ in getting a job. He always shared that he hired by the character of the person, not by resume. He was proud of the manufacturing companies of Kearney, and spoke highly of his relationships with management and employees of Baldwin, Eaton Rockwell, and others. Always one to roll up his sleeves, he was involved and supported many of the charitable endeavors of Kearney including United Way, Optimist International, the Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce, Red Cross, Little League Baseball and Thanksgiving Day dinner deliveries. He was a lifelong member of St. James Catholic Church. Bernie’s biggest life challenge came with his diagnosis of kidney failure. He was the recipient of a donor kidney on November 30th, 1998. With his second chance at life, and most importantly understanding the sacrifice of the donor family, Bernie made it his mission to educate fellow Nebraskans of the need for organ donation. His efforts included speaking at schools and service groups throughout the Platte Valley area. Additionally, he raised funds and coordinated the first and subsequent yearly golf event for the Nebraska Kidney Foundation, held in Grand Island. These events have raised over $100,000 for kidney transplant support and research to date. Left to cherish his memory is his sons, Todd Boyle and his wife, Nancy of Flagstaff, AZ and Jeffrey Boyle and his wife, Suzanne of Phoenix, AZ; grandchildren, Sean, Sarah, Marissa and Elise; brother, John Boyle of Elwood, NE. Bernie is preceded in death by his parents, and his brother, Dan Boyle.

Bernard F. Boyle

June 18, 1933 - October 5, 2011