John Theodore Bernards, 87, a resident of the Hillsboro community passed away on October 20, 2022 at Diamond Care Home.

John was born on November 3, 1934, in Carlton, OR. He was the second youngest of ten children born to Theodore M. and Margaret M. (Hermens) Bernards. He was raised in Yamhill and attended Yamhill High School graduating with the Class of 1953. Following his father’s death, John and his mother moved to Verboort, Oregon.

He met his future wife, Marilyn Anne Herinckx, while she was delivering milk to his mother’s house. They soon began dating and after a two-year courtship, they were married on May 5, 1962, at Visitation Catholic Church in Verboort. Following their marriage, they made their home in Hillsboro and raised three children, Roger, Scott, and Annette. Marilyn passed away on July 22, 1986, of cancer.

John had worked as a farmer in his younger years and then started working for Tektronix. He later moved to the Forest Grove Tektronix and retired after 33 years. In his retirement, he enjoyed volunteering at Meals on Wheels, attending Eucharistic Adoration, and traveling with family, especially his twin sister, Jane.

One of John’s hobbies was playing the organ and on occasion, at senior centers and rest homes. In his leisure time, John also liked rototilling yards for family and friends. Marilyn and John loved to go on road trips, camping, and visiting parks throughout the country. John loved to tinker, fix, collect tools, and listen to Big Band Music such as Frank Sinatra and Glenn Miller.

He is preceded in death by his loving wife, parents and nine siblings: Martha, Robert, Don, Hubert, Ted, Therese, Larry, Norm, and Jane.

He is survived by his three children and their spouses; Roger and Wendy Bernards of Albany, Scott and Rose Bernards of Hillsboro, Annette Bernards and her fiancé Patrick Lyne of Aloha, and nine grandchildren; Elizabeth, Megan, Alexander, Emily Jean, Mikaela, Joseph, John, Andrew and Emily Marilyn. Also, two great grandchildren, Tucker and Hailey along with his in-laws and many nieces and nephews.