Bernard W. "Bernie" Behnke

Bernard William "Bernie" Behnke, 96, formerly of Coldwater "Rose Lake" MI.Died on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017, at Lakeland Nursing and Rehabilataion Center, Angola, IN, Born Oct, 31, 1920 in Wauseon, Ohio, He was the son of William Behnke and Cora (Knierim) Behnke. He was a award winning Buick salesman in Fort Wayne, IN,, better known as The Man with the Red Tie,  after retirement he was known as "The Weekend Fisherman" he wrote fishing articles in several newspapers in Southern MI and Northern IN.He married Luella Houck on June 7, 1942, in Wauseon, Ohio and enjoyed 71 years of marriage. He was a member of Coldwater United Methodist Church, Greenleaf Masonic Lodge #349 in Kinderhook, MI.  Surviving is son James C Behnke of Coldwater, MI: two daughters Cora Lee (Jerry) Everett of Lebanon, KY and Marcia Louise Bonta of Spencerville, IN: 9 grandchildren, Christopher Behnke, Darlene Behnke, Joseph Bonta, Julie Bonta Lowden, Lisa Bonta Newhall, Amy Everett Lelli, Sally Everett Walley, Denise Everett, Glen Everett: 27 great-grandchildren, 6 great-great-grandchildren; Three step brothers Roger (Pauline) Griffin of Malvern, OH, Hal Griffin of Maumee, OH, Jerry (Ruth) Griffin of Lititz, PA. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife and sister Berneta R Lauber.

Visitation will be held at H.E. Johnson & Sons Funeral Home, 108 S. West Street, Angola on Thursday, September 21, 2017 from 11am to 1pm. Funeral Services will be at 1 PM Thursday, September 21 at the funeral home with Rev. Jerry Griffin officiating.  Burial will be at 4 PM at Wauseon Union Cemetery in Wauseon, OH. Memorials may be given to the Bernie Behnke Scholarship Tournament.

 Service Information