Bernard "Bernie" G. Bur, Jr.

Bernard "Bernie" Bur, Jr. of Petoskey passed away peacefully on June 11, 2025, at Independence Village at the age of 95.  Bernie was born on January 18, 1930, in Riggsville, the eldest son of Bernard and Clara (Carlson) Bur.  Raised on the family farm, Bernie attended schools in Cheboygan County. Learning to drive when he was 14, he was entrusted to drive his siblings and nearby children to school in the family truck.  He met the love of his life, Gennie Brill of Brutus, at Pellston High School.  They married in July 19,1950 and enjoyed 72 wonderful years together until Gennie's passing in 2022.  

A hard worker and farm boy at heart, Bernie's career started at the Golden River Ranch, a cattle operation near Mullet Lake. He then operated heavy equipment for Johnson & Greene, helping to build I-75 and other roads in northern Michigan during the summers. In the winters they traveled to southern states for road construction. Eventually they returned to Petoskey in the mid-1960s, building their home on Division Road. Bernie worked for Dunstan Plumbing Supply, retiring in 1990. He and Gennie enjoyed time in their extensive garden, fishing on Little Traverse Bay, square dancing with the Petoskey Whirlaways, snowmobiling, golfing, and traveling around the country, meeting new friends. After retirement, they wintered in Green Valley, Arizona for a number of years and then found a new winter home in Zephyrhills, Florida, before returning to Petoskey full time at Independence Village. They made and kept numerous cherished lifelong friendships with people from around the world.    

A long-time member of Zion Lutheran Church, Bernie was a man of quiet faith. In retirement, Bernie volunteered for many local organizations, ringing the bell for the Salvation Army during the holiday season, delivering blood donations across northern Michigan for the American Red Cross, and others. He and Gennie were honored as Volunteers of the Year in 1997 by the Chamber of Commerce. They lived their faith.

Bernie was preceded in death by his wife Gennie; parents; sisters Betty (Emil) Ginop and Virginia (Donald) Lahaie; sisters and brother-in laws: Margaret (Ernest) Schmidt, Sam Brill, Clara (Richard) Oelke. He is survived by brothers Ron (Pat) and Ken (Joyce) Bur; brother and sister-in law, Don Brill and Isabel (Clarence) Oelke; many loving nieces, nephews as well as their children and grandchildren. 

A celebration of Bernie's life will be held at Stone Funeral Home on Tuesday June 17; visitation at 1 pm, service at 2 pm. Cremation has taken place and Bernie's ashes will be interred next to Gennie's at Greenwood Cemetery following the service.

Those wishing to remember Bernie can consider making a donation to a charity of their choice, volunteering for a local organization or just reaching out to someone in need. 

The family would like to thank the kind care provided by the staff of Independence Village and Hospice.   

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