Bernard E. 'Bernie' Sawyer

Bernard E. Bernie Sawyer, 91 of Grand Island, died Monday, April 22, 2013 at Tiffany Square in Grand Island. Services will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, April 27, 2013 at Apfel Funeral Home with the Rev. Jay Vetter officiating. Burial will be in Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery with military honors by United Veterans Honor Guard. Visitation hours will be 5-8 p.m. Friday, April 26, 2013 from Apfel Funeral Home. Memorials are suggested to the family to be designated at a later date. Apfel Funeral Home is caring for the family. Bernie was born May 28, 1921 in Marquette, Nebraska the son of Clark and Dora Mabel (Lewis) Sawyer. His early years were spent on the farm in central rural Nebraska. He graduated from Hampton High School in 1939 and moved to Grand Island where he attended the Grand Island Business College. After graduation he went to work for Riggs Optical in the downtown Masonic building. Bernie entered the U.S. Army on August 8, 1942 and served his country with pride during World War II. He landed at Normandy Beach on June 7, 1944, the day following D-Day and served in Europe for the remainder of the war. He participated in the battles of Northern France, the Rhineland and the Battle of the Bulge in the Ardennes Forest in 1945. He received the Good Conduct Medal and was honorably discharged in 1945. Bernie was proud of his service, and rightfully so. We owe him and so many other heroes our eternal thanks. The war was not the only thing on Bernies mind after August of 1942. In October of the year, he took some time off to marry the love of his life, Maxine Mary Peters in Baltimore. Bernie and Maxine had a beautiful life together. In 1950, Bernie cobbled together $400 and started Sawyer Optical Dispensary which served two generations of central Nebraska residents. He loved the optical business and was a founding member of the Nebraska Society of Dispensing Opticians and was a Certified Optician with the American Board of Opticianry. Bernie was a kind, quiet man with a wonderful smile that could light up a room. Although late in life age and infirmity robbed Bernie of some physical abilities, nothing could ever take away his spirit and humor. Bernie fought the good fight, never complained, and was a great guy, and that in the end is the best that can be said of anyone of us. He was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church, and a 50 plus year member of Riverside Country Club and a Master Mason and a Shriner. Survivors include his son and daughter in law: William J. & Theresa Sawyer of Omaha, one granddaughter, Crystal Fairfield and her husband, Pete of Indianapolis, a great grandson, Brody Harbour, sister, Mary Arlene Puterbaugh of Independence, MO and numerous nieces & nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Maxine, brother, Virgil Sawyer and sister Lucille Springer.