Bernard F. Mayer

Bernard (Bernie) Francis Mayer of Prairie du Chien, WI passed away peacefully on March 15, 2025 at the age of 97.  He was surrounded by his loved ones. 

Bernie was born May 26, 1927 in McGregor, IA, and was the son of Anton and Cyrilla (Pearl DuCharme) Mayer.  He married Rosann Gallagher of Waukon, IA on December 30, 1961, at Sandia AFB in Albuquerque, NM. 

Bernie had an adventurous life. He graduated from St. Mary’s High School in Clinton, IA in 1944, and attended St. Norbert’s College in Green Bay for a year prior to leaving to join the Navy in 1945. After completing basic training, he was assigned to Tubarao NOB, Guiuan Samar, Philippines where he managed the commissary and warehouse for two years. In 1948 he played a key role in decommissioning the USS Paricutin AE-18 at Mare Island Naval Shipyard in Vallejo, CA. Bernie then left the Navy to attend college in Cedar Rapids, IA.

In September 1949, after a year of college, Bernie chose to join the newly formed US Air force.  He attended Radio Operator School at Keesler AFB in Biloxi, MS and from 1950 to 1953, and served as a Radio Operator at Kelly AFB in San Antonio, TX.  Bernie then transferred to Travis AFB, CA, and completed Flight Engineer School at Chanute AFB, IL, and HTTU School in West Palm Beach, FL. He served as a flight engineer on several aircraft including the C-97, C-124, and C-141A.  

Bernie participated in several historic missions including the Cuban Missile Crisis, the South Pacific nuclear testing program, cold war support in Northern Africa and Asia, and earthquake relief for Nicaragua.  Bernie completed a Vietnam War tour of duty stationed in Karat AFB in Thailand (1968-69).  He also provided material support for the Vietnam War and the Korean Armistice Agreement, participating in several operations in Saigon and beyond from 1958 to 1974. 

Bernie’s adventurous spirit took him across the globe, from Guantanamo Bay to Saigon, Wake Island to Hawaii, and countless other destinations, including Enewetak Atoll, Kwajalein, Samoa, Elmira, Fiji, Australia, Alaska, the Philippines, Guam, Midway, Japan (Okinawa and the main Island), Taiwan, Vietnam, India, Pakistan, Iran, Spain, North Africa, West Africa, Algeria, Morocco, Germany, England, Iceland, Canada, and Guatemala. 

Bernie was a veteran of World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. He retired in 1974 as a Master Sergeant (MSgt) after 27 years of service.

Upon retiring, Bernie settled in Prairie du Chien, WI with his family. He was proud to be part of the Knights of Columbus and American Legion Post 68. Bernie volunteered his time transporting veterans to appointments for the VA for most of his later years.  Bernie will be forever remembered for his boundless adventurous spirit, his captivating stories of travel and service, and his warm, generous heart

Bernie is survived by his sister Judy (Tom)Krug. His children: TSgt Robert J. Mayer, USAF/Ret; Anton B. Mayer; Mary M. (Mayer) Dixon; and Catherine A. (Mayer) Breitsprecher (CW3 Scott J. Breitsprecher, USA Ret). His grandchildren include James Mayer, Juliet Mayer, Nicolas Fiskaali, Tony Mayer, Curtis Dixon (Pua Freeman), Ellie Dixon, Catrina Mayer-Lynch (Patrick Lynch), and Gabrielle Breitsprecher. Daughter-in-laws Spring Mayer, Kim Papenfuss-Anderegg, Daisy (Chavez-Medina) Mayer and son-in-law David Dixon were also part of his cherished family 

Bernie was preceded in death by his wife Rosie, son Earl L. Mayer, and daughter, Rose Marie Mayer, and his siblings Maurice (Betty)Mayer, Jack (Mary) Mayer, Father Lawrence Mayer, Millie (Sandy)Sanders and Francis Mayer.

A Memorial Mass of Resurrection will be Friday, March 21, 2025, at 11:00 A.M. at St. John’s Church of the Holy Family Parish, Fr. Brandon Guenther officiating with inurnment in the Calvary Cemetery, both in Prairie du Chien. Friends may call at the church on Friday from 10:00 A.M. until the time of Mass, where the recitation of the Holy Rosary by the Knights of Columbus, Campion Council 1840, will be held at 9:30 A.M. Military Honors will be accorded by the Prairie du Chien Honor Guard. 

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