Hastings resident, Bernard “Bernie” F. Pavelka, 89, died Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at Mary Lanning Memorial HealthCare, Hastings, Nebraska.

Services will be Friday, July 22, 2011; 10:30 A.M. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, west of Glenvil, with Pastor Renee Johnson officiating. Burial with military rites will be in St. Paul’s Lutheran Churchyard Cemetery, west of Glenvil. Visitation will be Thursday, July 21, 2011; 1:00 P.M. – 9:00 P.M. with family present from 6:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M. at the funeral home and one hour prior to the service at the church. Memorials may be given to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church or Cemetery Fund or Mary Lanning Hospice.

Bernie was born June 24, 1922 in Pauline, Nebraska to Frank J. & Lucille A. Pavelka. He attended grade school in Pauline acquiring an eighth grade diploma. At the age of seventeen he joined the Civilian Conservation Corps, Company 761 from1939-1941. He served with the U.S. Army from October 12, 1942 until December 10, 1945. Bernie married Elsie E. Stamer on January 15, 1948 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church west of Glenvil, Nebraska; she preceded him in death on January 22, 2004. He and Elsie lived in Hastings until 1958 when they moved to Geneva where they owned and operated Bernie’s Place for over four years. They moved back to Hastings and founded and operated Barrel Bar from 1963-1975 and The Garden from 1973-1975. They also owned and operated Bernardo’s from 1969-1973. He also was co-owner of Bernard Pavelka Trucking Inc. until 1992. Bernie flew to Washington D.C. in 2009 as part of the Nebraska Veterans Honor Flight. He was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church west of Glenvil, Elks Club, Eagles, and V.F.W.

Bernie was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Elsie E. Pavelka; infant sister, Helen; granddaughter, Annie R. Sibert; and brother George Pavelka.

Survivors include:
Daughters & Spouses: Rita & Wes Pell – North Platte, NE
    Bernadine & Marvin Hughes – Hastings, NE
    Diann & Jim Sibert – Hastings, NE
    Nancy & Glen Baker, Jr. – Beatrice, NE
Son & Spouse: Tom & Judi Pavelka – Hastings, NE
Grandchildren: Pam Elliott
    Bill Elliott
    Jeff Elliott
    Rick Elliott
    Bridget Harrington
    Babbette Board
    Joe Sibert
    Evie Sibert
    Beverly Koehler
    Darcey Hammond
    Ryan Pavelka
    Ben Pavelka
    Adam Pavelka
    Charlie Koch
Great-Grandchildren: Spencer Elliott
    Madison Elliott
    Dauson Elliott
    Brady Harrington
    Nicole Harrington
    Brody Gable
    Harper Gable
    Wren Hammond
    Maxwell Hammond III
    Clayton Pavelka
    Amber Pavelka
    Karson Pavelka
Sisters: Wilma Jones – Hastings, NE
    Marcie Vontz – Hastings, NE
Numerous Nieces, Nephews & Cousins