Bernard Wayne "Bernie" Beesley

Bernard Wayne “Bernie” Beesley, 68, of North Vernon, passed away at 10:15 a.m. on Friday, July 17, 2026, at his residence.

Born December 31, 1957, in Seymour, he was the son of the late Frank A. and Margaret (Rucker) Beesley. He married Patricia “Patty” Morrison on July 10, 2001, in Gatlinburg, Tennessee; she survives.

Bernard was a 1976 graduate of Jennings County High School. He was a member of the Army National Guard from 1979 to 1993. He worked for American Axle for 25 years as a lab technician in quality control, retiring in May 2025. He also worked at Regal Rugs in North Vernon for 15 years and for David Lee Construction as a foreman for ten years, building several custom homes. Bernie’s hobbies included many outdoor activities, such as fishing, rafting down White River, and just spending time in the woods. He loved to play guitar and sing old country music.

Surviving with his wife, Patty of North Vernon; are his sons, James Beesley of Seymour and Chris Hubble of North Vernon; daughters, Rebecca (William Deering) Beesley of Smithville, Tennessee, Jennifer (Brian) Rorick of Seymour, and Carri (Josh) Wells of Commiskey; brother, Robert Beesley of Columbia, South Carolina; sisters, Donna (Bob Ausnow) Gasaway of Louisville, Trish (Randy) Brennan, and Penny (Richard) Royce, both of North Vernon; grandchildren, Shelly Longbrake, Donovan Longbrake, and Alana (Dylan Keener) Deering, all of Smithville, Tennessee, Noah Rorick, Zach Rorick, and Maggie Rorick, all of Seymour, Shayne (Mikey Romero) Hinchman, John Hinchman, and Brantley Wells, all of Commiskey, Jaydon Beesley, Becky Davis, Alexis Hubble, and Dylan Hubble, all of North Vernon; three great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Kristi Claghorn; grandchild, Malachi Longbrake; sister-in-law, Sarah Beesley; and brothers-in-law, Bernard Claghorn and Ralph Gasaway.

A celebration of life for Bernie will be held on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, from 2:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at Dove-Sharp & Rudicel Funeral Home and Cremation Service in North Vernon. Burial will be at Scipio Cemetery at a later date.

Memorials may be made in memory of Bernie through the funeral home to Lakota Wildlife or funeral expenses.

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