Vernon “Bert” Bertrand led a simple life. As a very salt of the earth kind of person, he was a hard worker even from his

earliest moments. The man he grew into reflected this fact, as he was a stable, upright and dependable man people were proud to know.

1944 was a historically important year for people in the United States and

abroad. As Franklin Roosevelt began his second term as President, the Battle of the Bulge

began as Germans penetrated the Allied front in Belgium. Although the war was on everyone’s mind, Roland and Katherine Bertrand of Kankakee, Illinois had something wonderful

to focus on, the birth of their son, Vernon Bert, on November 6, 1944.

Bert, as he was called, had a typical childhood of the times. He spent much of his leisure time outdoors, hunting and fishing, something he enjoyed all of his life. He also liked cars and later owned a stunning black Trans-Am that he loved and babied until it was later sold.

At the time of the Vietnam War, Bert followed the same patriotic calling of other young men of the time, and enlisted in the U.S. Army, proudly serving his country during time of war. After being discharged from the service, it was time for Bert to find a job and he started his career as a truck driver. He drove for many years for Crown Cork and Seal, and was more recently employed by the Daily Journal.

Outside of work, Bert enjoyed the time he spent with his wife, Tina, who he met while she was shoveling her driveway one winter. Together, they loved to vacation in sunny Florida, where Bert could work on his tan every day. At home, Bert could usually be found sitting on his front porch with his favorite beer, Busch Light or Jaeger Meister, in hand and watching the coming and goings

in his neighborhood. He also loved spending time with his grandchildren, who he adored. On a night out at the bar,

Bert liked to try his hand at slots, hoping it was his lucky day! He also enjoyed being a part of the coffee group that met at the former Dunkin Donuts in Kankakee. A collector of sorts, Bert liked to collect wolf memorabilia, which he displayed at home.

All who knew and loved Bert will treasure his memory.

Vernon Bert Bertrand, age 65, of Kankakee, IL passed away on Wednesday, July 14, 2010, at Riverside Medical

Center in Kankakee, IL. Bert is survived by his wife, Tina Bertrand of Kankakee, IL; his children:

Troy (Beth) Bertrand of Kankakee, IL, Tami (Rodney Spiezio) Brinkman

of Limestone, IL, Paul Brown of Kankakee, IL and Andy Bertrand

of Bradley; his step-children: Kimberly George, Steven Bosman, and Sean Russell, all of Kankakee, IL; his sister, Ardell Morrow of TN; his step-sister, Susan Stoner of Palos Heights, IL; his grandchildren: Malayna Bertrand, Rene Bertrand Beauchemin, Taryn Brinkman, Tobie

Brinkman, Brianna Kelly, and Devonte George; and his dear friends, Barb and Jim Soucie. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Stacie Bertrand, parents, Kathy and Harry Stoner,

father, Roland Bertrand, and brother-in-law, Oren Morrow.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, July 19, at 10 a.m. at the Schreffler Funeral Home in Kankakee. Relatives and friends may visit with Bert’s family on Sunday, July 18, from 1 to 5 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the family. Please visit Bert’s personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory or photo with his family, sign his online guest book or watch his Life Story film.