Bernard R. Samland Obituary (1926 - 2016)

Bernard R. Samland, 90, of Bloomington, died at 12:20 p.m. on Saturday, March 19, 2016 at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center, Bloomington.A memorial mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, March 23, 2016 at St. Patrick Church of Merna, with Monsignor Gregory Ketcham officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the church. Inurnment will be at East Lawn Memorial Gardens, Bloomington, immediately following services. Cremation rites have been accorded by Carmody-Flynn Funeral Home, Bloomington.In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Patrick Church of Merna or Home Sweet Home Ministries. To express condolences online, please visit www.carmodyflynn.com.He was born February 23, 1926 in Argo-Summit, IL, son of Vincent and Anna Dziondziak Szamatowicz. He married Mary Caroline Burda on May 14, 1949 at St. Blase Catholic Church, Argo, IL.Surviving are his wife, Mary of Bloomington; his children, Robert (Vicki) Samland of Edgewater, CO, Thomas (Dawn) Samland of Downers Grove, James (Debbie) Samland of Budapest, Hungary, Jeanne (Robert) Skogh of Bolingbrook, Susan (Michael) Temple of Bloomington, Mary Ellen (Raymond) Cooke of Bloomington, MN and Laura Samland of Normal. Also surviving are 13 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren and his sister, Mary Ann Rossetti of McHenry.He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Joseph Samatowic and one sister, Martha Lohman.Bernard was a United States World War II Army Veteran, and a recipient of the American Service Medal, the European Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal and the WWII Victory Medalrn. He graduated from Argo Summit High School and De Paul University, where he received his Masters Degree in Accounting. Bernard worked as an accountant until his retirement. He was also an avid reader, enjoyed gardening and music.