Bernard Edward Neelis

Bernard Edward Neelis, 81, of Cheboygan, MI, passed away on May 11th, 2022.

Bernard (known to many as ‘Bernie’ or ‘Ed’) was born on July 22nd, 1940 to Joseph and Laura Neelis in Cheboygan, the last of eleven kids.

On August 26th, 1961, he married Carol Ann Fenlon and together they had 4 children and 58 years of ‘for better, for worse’. Bernie was a hard-working father who provided for his family so that Carol could be home with the kids. He worked for 29 years at the Proctor & Gamble plant before it shut down. After that he worked as a caretaker at Point Nipigon Resort. He taught his kids the value of a dollar and that nothing comes without hard work. Bernie’s sense of humor and quick wit never let us down. Bernie was a lot like his favorite TV show character, Frank Barone, from Everybody Loves Raymond.

In his younger days Bernie enjoyed snowmobiling, hunting, tending bar and calling BINGO numbers at the Knights of Columbus, and fixing things around the house. Never one to sit still, he always felt he was “burning daylight” if he wasn’t accomplishing something.

Bernie was predeceased by his wife, Carol, his parents, Laura and Joseph, brothers Melvin, Lloyd, Bill and Leonard; sisters Laura, Hazel, Anna, Rose and Emily.

He is survived by his children Laurie (Kacy) Neelis, Brenda Richards, Scott (Jodi) Neelis, and Dana (Brian) Vanhoy; grandchildren Brett, Brandon, Bethany, Caitlin, Selena, Abbi, Josiah, Lucas, Tatum and Tanner; his sister, Teresa; and several great-grandchildren, nephews and nieces and his beloved dog, a shih tzu named Sam.

There will be a memorial service July 12, 2022 at 11:00 am at St. Mary’s Catholic Church burial at Mt. Calvary will follow immediately after.

Memorial Contributions can be made to the Cheboygan County Humane Society or Hospice House of Cheboygan.

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