ELKHART — Bernard Charles "Bernie" Kretschmer Jr., 72, of Elkhart, died at 4:15 a.m. Thursday (Aug. 27, 2009) after an extended illness.

He was born in Elkhart May 11, 1937, to Bernard C. and Sophia (Gutowski) Kretschmer.

He married Doris Krake in 1960 in Karlsruhe, Germany. She died in 1999.

Surviving are three daughters, Patricia A. Kretschmer of Chicago, Lorraine M. (Aaron) Thatcher of Farmington, Utah, and Paulette S. (Gannon) Kane of Norfolk, Virginia; two sons, Bernard C. (Norma) Kretschmer III of Elkhart and Thomas P. Kretschmer of South Bend; 14 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; a brother, Michael H. Kretschmer of Elkhart; and two sisters, Loretta (Richard) Chapura of Sarasota, Fla., and Dorothy (Michael) Morando of Santa Barbara, Calif.

Mr. Kretschmer was a carpenter and wood carver who specialized in building custom cabinets.

He enjoyed sailboats and airplanes and held a pilot's license for a time. He was also a fisherman and took his family fishing in Canada and Michigan.

He enjoyed friends, family and grandchildren as well as other children.

He served in the U.S. Army in Germany following WWII. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 3415 Pleasant Plain Ave. The service will take place at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the church with Bishop Shaun Huxford officiating.

Burial will follow at St. Vincent Cemetery. Military graveside honors will be given by Elkhart DAV 19 and the U.S. Army funeral honor guard.

Billings Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

Memorial gifts may be given to the Center for Hospice and Palliative Care, South Bend.

Condolences may be offered through www.billingsfuneralhome.com.