Bernard “Bernie” Whitton

Date of Death: October 7, 2022

Memories from his brother Will

The pain and sorrow of losing my brother Bernie is overwhelming. Bernie was such a good guy generous, kind, and compassionate. His work for Pastors for Peace led him to drive to the Port of Montreal to ship relief aid for Cuba. He also once drove to Nicaragua with a shipment of school and medical supplies. He truly lived by his faith.

Bernie was a baseball fan by the age of 6. His favorite team was the Reds. We experienced so many happy times together riding our bicycles to Cincinnati for the Reds game. In the winter he could always tell you how many days till opening day of the baseball season.

On our way to see our Mom and Stepfather in Detroit we always stopped at the beach in Luna Pier, Michigan. It was one of his favorite places.

He was at his best when his family needed his support. He helped me through many surgeries and hospitalizations. Bernie, my sister, and I kept beside vigils when our mother and father passed away.

We both loved all animals. Bernie especially loved his cat Gorby.

Bernie and I carried mail together in Broad Ripple in the 80’s. He was admired by his co-workers and loved by his customers.

Bernie was such a great and loving brother. I will mis him terribly until we meet again.

Memories from sister EV

Heidelberg Haus Café and Gift Shop, a German restaurant was on of Bernie’s favorite places to go in Indianapolis. Whenever he went there, he always brought me two big delicious German pretzels, a jar of jelly, and German chocolates. I finally had to tell him this past Christmas “Bernie, NO MORE JELLY! I have enough jelly to last me the rest of my life, but don’t stop bringing pretzels and chocolates”!

Bernie was always such a good listener. One day I was ranting and raving about something, and I finally said, “I’m going straight to hell for that one!” His response “If you stop now maybe not, but if you say one more word you definitely are!”

As a young boy Bernie suffered terrible fall allergies. His morning wake-up routine was sneezing about 300 times in a row (exaggerated as possible!) It drove me crazy. I remember one morning my mother was trying to comfort him and I yelled at her “MAKE HIM STOP”. Boy, did I get the evil eye from her. Well deserved, I must admit.

Yes, I could be the mean older sister. In our later years, we both remembered that day and had many laughs retelling the story. I always told him I was so sorry for being so mean.

I loved Bernie so much. He was such a kindhearted sweet soul. Th bond my two brothers and I shared during the last eleven days of our mother’s life in the Michigan hospital was so special. Now, even though you are gone from this earth my beautiful beloved little brother Bernie, I will forever hold you in my heart. EV

Memories from his brother Will The pain and sorrow of losing my brother Bernie is overwhelming. Bernie was such a good guy generous, kind, and compassionate. His work for Pastors for Peace led him to drive to the Port of Montreal to ship relief aid for Cuba. He also once drove to Nicaragua with aContinue Reading

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Bernie walked up to pulpit to give tribute to his mother at her funeral. He looked sharp in a brown sport coat, shirt and tie. His words in content and delivery were eloquent. Mrs. Dale passed away in July of 2016, a Presidential election year with no incumbent candidate. Although a beautiful heartfelt message was made afterwards, my memory of Bernie was his opening line. “Good afternoon, I’m Sigrid’s son, her second favorite Bernie.” When he ended and stepped down from the alter you knew a few things about Bernie. You knew he was a man of humor, intelligence, and compassion. A man who loved deeply and was deeply loved in return. My thoughts are with you Willie and Evelyn. Rest In Peace Bernie.

My deepest condolences to Willie and Evelyn. I meet Bernie in the late 1970s. We shared mutual friends. Bernie was always kind-hearted, good-natured, and quick witted. His house became the place to hang out. Sometimes we hung out at Bernie's and he wasn't even there. He never seemed to mind coming home to company or having us around. He was our concert ticket connection and we attended numerous concerts together. We traveled to Cincinnati for a concert at Riverfront Stadium in 1978 with our friend Patty. He knew the venue well, being a Reds baseball fan. We shared a love for baseball and attended a game in Chicago with friends Buck and Doug. I grew up in Chicago and was a Cubs fan. The rivalry was on!. Most of us married in the 80s, had kids and life got very busy. Years later my husband saw Bernie handing out water at a Indy mini marathon race. He came home and told me he saw my old buddy Bernie. It had been years since I'd seen him. We invited him to dinner, he came, and we spent hours catching up on our lives. We crossed paths occasionally in the years that followed. He never failed to ask about my husband and children. Bernie was a sweet friend and a gentle soul. I have nothing but good memories of Bernie.

I was a classmate of Benard's at Out Lady of Lourdes. ( I think towards the end of 8th grade we started calling him Bernie.?) If I remember correctly he did not come to Lourdes until 7th grade? I remember he was quiet and so very kind. In Sister Justitia's 8th grade class we always sat in rows by who had the highest grade average from the previous week. Bernie always has the 1st desk with the highest average. I always thought he was the smartest person I had ever met.? I was reading the obits and saw his name. I am so very sorry to hear of his passing. It sounds as though he led a life that was full of doing good things and caring for others. Surely, he is resting in heaven. My sympathies to your family. Janet Deery Wolfe

My condolences to your family. I worked with Bernie many years ago at Central Library. He was a kind, gentle person.

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.