Rodney C. Bernhard, 50

Rodney C. Bernhard, 50, of Shiloh, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, July 9, 2016 in Baltimore Washington Medical Center in Baltimore, Maryland.

Rod was born January 29, 1966 in Ashland, Ohio to James and Judith (nee Ramsey) Bernhard.

He graduated from Crestview High School, Class of 1984. During school, he was involved in many activities including football, basketball, track, FFA, and NHS. Following his graduation, Rod went on to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture from Wilmington College, where he also played football.

He has been a dairy farmer all of his life, starting to milk cows at age 13.

Rod married the love of his life, the former Shelley Kern, on February 27, 1993. He was a member of the Adario United Methodist Church. In the community, Rod was known for his quick wit and sense of humor. He enjoyed staying active through playing recreational basketball, being an avid runner, and biking.

Rod was a devoted husband and father to his girls; being his daughters’ biggest fan in all of their activities including: FFA, band, sporting events, and ballet performances. Rod was a man who lived his life to the fullest and loved his family deeply.

He is survived by his wife of 23 years of marriage, Shelley Bernhard of Shiloh; his parents, Jim and Judy Bernhard of Ashland; three daughters, Emily ( Dr. Drew) Figley of Ashland, Elizabeth (Alec) Durbin of Baltimore, Maryland, and Erin Bernhard of Shiloh; two brothers, Tim (Deb) Bernhard of Shiloh and Dr. Matthew (Tricia) Bernhard of Ashland; his mother-in-law, Dorothy Kern of Shiloh; and numerous nephews, nieces, and cousins.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 16, 2016 at 12:00 p.m. in the Denbow-Gasche Funeral Home with Reverend Janet Chilcote officiating. Friends may call Friday, July 15, 2016 from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the Denbow-Gasche Funeral Home and on Saturday, two hours prior to the service from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to Crestview Local Schools, 1575 State Route 96, Ashland, OH 44805 to support the music, athletic, and FFA programs or to the Ashland Regional Ballet, 130 East Main Street, Ashland, OH 44805.

For those who may not be able to attend, online condolences may be shared on the funeral home’s website at denbowfh.com.

Denbow-Gasche Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.

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