Bernard William Schirmacher's Obituary
Bernard William Schirmacher
April 5, 1940 – June 17, 2025
With deep love and gratitude for a life well lived, we announce the passing of Bernard Schirmacher, who returned to his Heavenly Father after a life defined by quiet strength, steady devotion, and unwavering faith.
Born April 5, 1940, in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, Bernard entered the world just after the census taker had departed—forever missing his chance to be counted in the 1940 U.S. Census. He was the second of nine children born to Clarence Schirmacher and Evelyn Morey. Raised on a working farm in Jim Falls, Wisconsin, Bernard’s childhood was filled with hard work, early mornings, and deep family bonds. Alongside his older brother Dick, he cared for the livestock and helped plant and harvest the fields, experiences that shaped his lifelong sense of discipline and self-reliance.
Bernard attended Vance Elementary School, a one-room schoolhouse for grades 1-8, with just 17 students at most—many of them his own siblings. Regardless of the weather, Bernard walked the half-mile to school after completing his morning chores (of course it was uphill, both ways, in the snow). He attended Chippewa Falls High School from 1954-1958. A school bus took the neighborhood farm children to the school which was twelve miles away. Because of the responsibilities of the farm, the children were unable to participate in extracurricular activities. He graduated in 1958.
Shortly after graduation, Bernard enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and served honorably from 1958 to 1961, specializing in communications during a pivotal time between the Korean and Vietnam Wars. He earned the distinction of High Expert Rifleman—no doubt thanks in part to squirrel hunting on the farm—and took up ballroom dancing at the Arthur Murray Dance Studio on his days of leave from the military.
After returning to Jim Falls from military service, Bernard met young members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at local dances, who invited him to their ward events. Through their friendship, he met the missionaries who introduced him to the gospel. When he decided to be baptized and move to Utah, his family was strongly opposed—they couldn’t understand why anyone would want to join “those Utah Mormons.” But with quiet determination, Bernard quit his job at Clover Bell Farm and set out on a new path. With no plan, no job prospects, no housing, no contacts in Utah, and just $300 in his pocket, he set off in a 1954 two-door Chevy Bel Air. He stopped in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to visit the missionaries who had taught him and was baptized on April 4, 1963. He then drove west and “crossed the plains” to Utah—earning him the title of a modern-day Mormon pioneer.
In Utah, Bernard pursued higher education at Weber State and BYU before discovering his professional path at Utah Technical College, where he earned a degree in Heavy Duty Mechanics. He worked for many years as a diesel mechanic in the trucking industry before retiring in 2003.
Once settled in Salt Lake City, Bernard roomed with Roger Hollinghead, and the two became enregetically involved in restoring old cars. They often took road trips throughout the surrounding states in search of hard-to-find car parts. On Bernard’s wedding day, Roger used his restored 1932 Ford Roadster to drive Bernard and Marina from the Salt Lake Temple. Even after both men married, they continued their shared passion for vintage car restoration.
While working in the ordering department at Cordon Imaging Company, Bernard met Dave Bunker. Together, they developed an interest in ham radio, eventually earning their licenses and becoming members of the ARRL Amateur Radio National Association. Bernard remained active in the ham radio community for many years, regularly communicating with fellow operators across the country. This hobby led him to participate in CERT and safety training programs, and he became actively involved in his stake’s emergency preparedness efforts.
Some of Bernard’s other hobbies included reading, dancing, and gardening. By the time he was 14, he had read the complete Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the Bill of Rights—an early spark that ignited his lifelong interest in politics and learning. He also found great joy in dancing and took pride in cultivating a beautiful garden.
In 1971, Bernard met and married Marina Ruth Gómez Paez, in the Salt Lake Temple. Together they raised four beloved children—Laura, Karl, Paul, and Erich—through adoption. Bernard and Marina shared a love of travel, exploring places as far as Alaska and Hawaii, and as international as England, Ireland, Mexico, Peru, and beyond.
Bernard was a devoted disciple of Christ and served in many church capacities over the years. He was ordained a Seventy, later a High Priest, and served faithfully as a quorum secretary, secured the stake center for 18 years, temple worker in the Salt Lake Temple, and missionary—including missions in the Salt Lake Inner City Mission and the Utah Salt Lake East Mission, and as a service mission as a gardener at the Church Office Building.
Bernard's legacy is one of resilience, service, humility, and faith. He leaves behind a family and community enriched by his example.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Ralph and Glenn, sisters Nancy and Maxine, and his oldest son Karl. He is survived by his wife Marina., daughter Laura (Jeramie) Gaillard, and sons Paul and Erich in addition to his much beloved grandchildren.
Services will be held Saturday, June 28, 2025
Viewing 9:00am - 10:30am
Service 11:00am
LDS Meetinghouse
4484 W Willoughby Dr
South Jordan, UT
Graveside
12:30PM
10650 S 1055 W South Jordan
Zoom Link
https://zoom.us/j/91873547343?pwd=0C0xyg52ioRocvAXxKqDalq1KzAeOv.1
What’s your fondest memory of Bernard?
What’s a lesson you learned from Bernard?
Share a story where Bernard's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Bernard you’ll never forget.
How did Bernard make you smile?