Anthony “Tony” Bernal, Sr., 85, of McPherson, KS, passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 23, 2023, at Schowalter Villa, Hesston.
Anthony Leon Bernal, Sr. was born June 13, 1938, in the San Joaquin Valley of California, in the Community of Wasco, to Salvador Ernest and Delores Gertrude (Contreras) Bernal. He was the youngest of five siblings.
In his childhood, the family moved to Bakersfield where he attended parochial schools and city college. He married Marian Sifrit, and they were blessed with five marvelous children. Two of them, Baby Boy Bernal and Baby Girl Bernal, did not survive infancy.
Tony served honorably for four years as a medic in the United States Air Force. He was employed as a Production Control Coordinator by North American Aviation, the prime contractor for NASA’s Gemini and Apollo space program. After the successful human moon landing, the mission was accomplished and further space exploration was downsized. He enrolled in college and studied Business Administration and opened a bookkeeping and tax practice.
As he continued to age, he was more dependent on his children, Christina and John, for aid and comfort. Christina and her husband, Kip Goodson, welcomed him into their home to better care for him with assistance from Bluestem Pace.
The surviving three children are Christina “Chris” Sharon Goodson (Kip) of McPherson, KS, Anthony Leon Bernal, Jr. (Christiana) of Germany, and John “Chuck” Charles Bernal (Serwa) of Signal Hill, CA; as well as nine grandchildren, Michael Murphy (Alana), Samuel Bernal (Luzmarie), Derick Goodson, Jamie Goodson (Tiffany), Christopher T. Bernal (Leticia), Daniel Bernal, Christopher Bernal, Julia Bernal, and Oliver Bernal; three great-grandchildren, Michael Murphy III, Landrie Murphy, and Jameson Bernal; and sister, Angelina Gaona of Bakersfield, CA; and many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service with Military Honors will be held at 10:30 AM, Wednesday, August 2, 2023, at Stockham Family Funeral Home with Rev. Jon Black officiating. According to Tony’s wishes, his ashes are to be dispersed in the Sequoia mountains of California where he often visited to commune for eternity.
Memorial donations can be made to the McPherson Housing Coalition in care of Stockham Family Funeral Home, 205 North Chestnut, McPherson, KS 67460.
Personal condolences may be sent to the family at www.stockhamfamily.com.