Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 8, 2009 at the Roseberry's Funeral Home in Friendship, Wisconsin. Pastor Sam Downey will officiate. Visitation will be at Roseberry's Funeral Home on Saturday from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. and on Sunday from 12 Noon until the time of service.

Bernie was born November 11, 1942 in Freemont, Nebraska to Bernard B. and Daisy M. (Hauschild) Bays.   He graduated from Adams-Friendship High School in 1961. Bernie was active in the FFA, football, track and earned numerous sport letters. He married Shirley Mae Richardson on April 3, 1965 in Adams, Wisconsin. The couple purchased their dairy farm in 1965 where they still reside. Bernie and Shirley were blessed with three children. Bernie owned and operated "Bernie�s Repair Service."

Bernie was a member of Old Farmers Antique Club, a 4-H Project Leader, a member of the Farm Bureau, and served as Adams County Fair Board President for 32 years. He was active in his community serving as the Town of Preston First Supervisor for 19 years and was an Adams County Board Member for 8 years. Bernie also was a firefighter for the Adams County Fire District for 14 years, and serving as Captain for 5 years.

Bernie loved the outdoors, cutting wood, rebuilding antique tractors, his model trains, creating software programs for use on his farm, and most of all, spending time with his family and friends.

Bernie was preceded in death by his parents, Bernard and Daisy Bays.