Bernard "Bernie" R. Rutkowski, 83, of Kinde, passed away after a long illness on November 6, 2021 at his home in Kinde, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born on October 26, 1938, in Ubly, to the late Sylvester and Anthonette (Jurkowski) Rutkowski.

Bernard enlisted in the Army and received his high school certificate during his time of service. He worked at Evans Products in Gagetown as a welder, then went on to become a supervisor at Active Industries in Sebewaing, where he retired after 29 years. After his retirement, he became a licensed carpenter and did all kinds of carpentry work for everyone in the neighborhood. In his younger years, Bernard & Delphine enjoyed traveling to such places like Rome, Italy and Hawaii; he also loved taking his girls Polka dancing, and made a lot of friends along the way.

He married Delphine (Lasceski) Ignash, and they celebrated 45 years of marriage. He was a member of the Rapson Sportsmen's Club, Knights of Columbus, Kinde Senior Citizen Group and also the Friends of Kinde, as he was a big supporter of the Kinde Polka festival. Bernard liked to play baseball and enjoyed college and high school sports, and the Detroit Tigers. He was also always ready to play a good game of cards with friends or family, and he enjoyed helping to decorate St. Edward's Catholic Church for the holidays. Most of all, he loved being a proud grandfather to his grandchildren.

Bernard is survived by his children: Cheryl and (Gene) Carson; their children, Havyn, Kayla (Jay) O'Neil and great grandchildren: Saylor and Kanon; Brenda Rutkowski, and her children Brandon and Katelyn Scharrer; Lamont Ignash Sr. and his son Lamont Jr., and great grandchildren, Carson and Joshua Ignash; Melissa Fernandez; Sandee (Tim) Henderson, their children Noah and Jacob; his sisters Dorothy Kolar, Betty Siemen and Josephine Essenmacher; and his brother Tony, and sister in law Susan Rutkowski, and Delphine (Pawlowski) Rutkowski of Harbor Beach, the mother of his children.  He is also survived by his God-daughter: Anne Marie Kennedy, and God-sons: Keith Essenmacher and Duane Peruski; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his daughter-in-law, Jayne Ignash; his sister: Margaret Zewleski; brothers: Larry Rutkowski, Robert Rutkowski; mother and father-in-law, Harry & Beatrice Lasceski; sisters-in-law:  Alita Rutkowski, Lucy Rutkowski and brothers-in-law, Albert Kolar, Bill Siemen, and George Essenmacher and his niece, Jennifer Kolar.

Mass of Christian burial for Bernard will be held on Friday, November 12, 2021 at 11:00, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Dwight of Kinde/Annunciation of the Lord Parish with Fr. Craig Carolan officiating.  Burial will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery in Parisville with military honors.

Visitation will be Thursday, November 11, 2021 at the MacAlpine Gage Chapel in Kinde from 2-8 PM, with the Knights of Columbus leading the rosary service at 7 PM and on Friday from 9:30-10:30 AM at the funeral home.

Memorials may be offered to be used at the family's discretion (c/o Delphine Rutkowski).

The family wishes to thank A & D Hospice for getting Bernie home to his family.

Condolences can be shared at www.macalpinefuneralhome.com