Bernard L McCollum

Bernard L. Bernie McCollum age 67 of St. Clair died Thursday, July 15, 2004 at his home after an extended illness, with family at his side.

Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Monday at St. Johns Evangelical Lutheran Church, St. Clair with Rev. Keith J. Bilitz. Interment in Decoria Cemetery. Visitation on Sunday from 2-5 p.m. at Mankato Mortuary and one hour before services at church on Monday.

He was born July 10, 1937 in Mankato to Lester A. and Lena H. (Widmen) McCollum. He graduated from St. Clair High School in 1956. Bernie was united in marriage to Carol Jane Hiller on June 4, 1959 in Waterville, MN He worked for Hodgman & Sons Construction for 7 years, then as a janitor at St. Clair High School for approx. 10 years and retired from the Minnesota Highway Dept. on January 7, 1999 after 26 ½ years. Bernie raced stock cars for many years at the St. Peter Speedway. He was a member of St. Johns Ev. Lutheran Church, St. Clair. Bernie enjoyed camping, fishing, inventing creative iron work in his garage, but most of all spending time of with his wife, Carol, daughter, Connie and his three grandchildren, Jared, Nick and Megan.

Bernie is survived by his wife, Carol; a daughter, Connie Danberry and special friend, Dale Paulson of Janesville; three grandchildren, Jared, Nick and Megan; two brothers, Lloyd (Ginger) McCollum of St. Clair, LeRoy (Marilyn) McCollum of Cleveland; two sisters, Deloris (Dean) Mosher of St. Clair, Delphia Mason of Mankato; mother-in-law, Mable Hiller of Morristown; nephew, nieces, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents a sister, Doris; son-in-law, Brad Danberry; father-in-law, Donald Hiller; brothers-in-law, Lyle, Kenneth, and Gene Hiller; sister-in-law, Dylane McCollum.