Bernard N. Stallard

Bernard Neal Stallard (Bernie), 93, died Thursday, August 15 at Sugar Creek Station in Franklin after living a long, fulfilling life.

Born June 27, 1926 in Meadville, he was the son of the late Emerson Carl Stallard & Anna Van Volkenburg Stallard Payne.

He married the late Nancy Luce on May 23, 1953 and they enjoyed 60 years of marriage prior to her death on July 3, 2013.

After graduating from high school, Bernie enlisted with the U.S. Navy at the age of 17. He served from June 12, 1944- May 23, 1946.

During that time, he was stationed in the Solomon Islands in the Pacific Ocean. He swam in the shark infested waters of the Mariana Straits, crossed the equator four times, and avoided being captured by a tribe of cannibals when accidentally left on an island when his ship set sail. He received the Pacific Theater Ribbon, American Theater Ribbon and the Victory Medal.

After his Navy days, Bernie attended Edinboro University, Kent State University and graduated from Grove City College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration on June 10, 1950.

Bernie retired from U.C. Tax office in Oil City on Sept. 3, 1987. He was a hard worker all his life and told how he began working at a very young age. Some of his very early jobs were to drive horses while bailing hay for 45 cents a day, weed vegetables for 50 cents a day or mow grass for 25 cents. During high school he painted houses and mixed cement.

Traveling was a passion that he shared with his wife, Nancy.

In 1998 they traveled for 39 days covering 9711 miles in their motor home throughout the western states, including Alaska.

He was a very generous man always ready to help anyone in need, however, Christmas was a special time that found his family gathered at his house to benefit from the previous 12 months of his shopping. During the holiday season he could be found working at distribution centers or helping families in need at the local schools.

Bernie was a member of the F & AM Oil City Lodge 710.

He was also a faithful member of the Oil City Moose, a past member of the Pulaski Club and PNA Club and was a trustee for many years at the Oil City Eagles Club.

Bernie is survived by four children,

Deborah Martin & her husband Dan of Oil City

Bradford Stallard & his wife Susan of Grove City

Gary Stallard & his wife Kim of Reno

Bonnie Doby & her husband David of Broadway, NC

He is also survived by two brothers, James Stallard of TX and Ronnie Stallard of Meadville.

7 half siblings

Maureen Reynolds, Terrance Stallard, Lawrence Stallard, Joann London, Carolyn Whitcomb, Lowell Stallard and Candy Padlo, 13 grandchildren, 14 great -grandchildren, one great-grandchild due in November and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Emerson, Tony and Kenny Stallard.

A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 A.M. Wednesday in the Reinsel Funeral Home. Pastor Willard Morse will preside.Military Honors will be accorded by the V.E.T.S.Honor Guard. The family will receive friends from 10:00-11:00 A.M.Wednesday in the funeral Home

The family suggests in lieu of flowers, that memorial contributions may be made to the Saegertown Alumni Association P.O. Box 293 Saegertown, PA. 16433

Condolences may be sent at www.reinselfuneralhome.com

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