Michael L. "Doat" Bernard, 65, St. Marys, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, at 5:25 p.m. Sept. 20, 2013, at Lima Memorial Health System, after a short but hard-fought battle with cancer.

He was born April 18, 1948, in St. Marys, to Charles and Mary Ann Wehrkamp Bernard. His mother, Mary Ann Bernard-Keller, St. Marys, survives.

He is survived by his wife of almost 43 years, Shirley A. Poeppelman, whom he married Dec. 26, 1970, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Celina.

He is also survived by his four children, Laura (Brian) Borkowski, Oconomowoc, Wis., Melissa (Jeremy) Wenning, St. Marys, Tracy Bernard, St. Marys, and Brian (Janelle Booth) Bernard, St. Marys; nine grandchildren; and his sister, Michelle (Dave "Tiny" Brannan) Miller, Spencerville.

He was preceded in death by his father, Charles Bernard, and his stepfather, Henry Keller.

He was a 1966 graduate of St. Marys Memorial High School. He was a veteran of the United States Navy, having served three tours of duty during the Vietnam War on the USS Constellation, USS Ranger, and the USS Enterprise. He was a retired production employee at Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. in St. Marys. He also served several terms as a city councilman for St. Marys. He was a member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus Council #1592, American Legion Post #323, VFW Post #9289, Eagles Lodge Aerie #767 and St. Marys Outing Club (Idlewild).

He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing, golfing, gardening and riding his motorcycle.  He was a huge fan of the St. Marys Roughriders, Ohio State Buckeyes and Chicago Bears. He loved doing crossword puzzles and spending time with his friends and family.

Mass of Christian Burial is 10 a.m. Wednesday at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, St. Marys, the Rev. Barry Stechschulte celebrant. Burial, with full graveside military honors, will follow at Gethsemane Cemetery in St. Marys.

Calling is 2-8 p.m. Tuesday and 8:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m. Wednesday at Miller Funeral Home West Chapel, St. Marys.

Memorial donations may be given to the Ohio State Cancer Research Center.

Condolences may be left at www.millerfuneralhomes.net.