Bernard Edward Faraone

At 1:19 a.m., on the early morning of October 20, 2026, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Bernard Edward Faraone breathed himself gently into Heaven, knowing he was completely loved. Around him, united in heart and soul and spirit, were those in Heaven and on Earth who counted him as their precious Treasure.

Bernie, as everyone called him, was born at 2:26 a.m., on November 21, 1952, in Erie, Pennsylvania, to Bernard Sebastian and Dorothy Amelia Quick Faraone. His grandparents were Ercole and Julia (Giovanna) Yezzi Faraone and Edward and Marie Vogel Quick. Bernie was of Italian, Swedish and German descent.

Proud to be an “Erie-boy,” Bernie could tell story after story about the fun and “adventures” of his growing-up years. He had the very best of loyal friends who still shared a strong friendship even today. As a youth, Bernie attended St. James Grade School and transferred to Penn School in sixth grade where he was taught by Mrs. Helmer, a cherished teacher who encouraged her students to be the best they could be. Mrs. Helmer was such a great inspiration to Bernie that he spoke of her kindness throughout his life. Another special person who positively influenced Bernie’s young life in Erie was Mrs. Cannarozzi who not only made good sloppy joes but also encouraged Bernie to apply for college and to pursue his dreams.

Bernie graduated from Erie’s Academy High School and went on to earn his Bachelor’s Degree from Penn State University and a Masters Degree in Psychology and Group Therapy from Indiana State University in Terre Haute, Indiana.

In 1976, Bernie met his forever-love Laurette Katherine Kissel while they were both working at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College near Terre Haute. They were married on June 24, 1978, at Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Haubstadt, Indiana — directly across the street from the house that would become their dear family home. In the following few years, their lives were filled with raising, loving, teaching, enjoying their beautiful children, and then a couple decades later, their precious grandchildren were born. Bernie’s Family was his dream-come-true.

Bernie served as a Juvenile probation officer for Vanderburgh County Court for 42 years before retiring. He helped hundreds and hundreds of young people and their parents. Because of his perseverance, dedication and hard work, Bernie changed the lives of generations for the better. It was important work and Bernie gave it his all. Even years later, when Bernie would see persons he had helped, they would hug him, thank him, and say “I love you.” Definitely, Bernie lived his life for others, and he always treated everyone with care and respect, as everyone deserves.

Bernie and Laurette were gardeners. Even before they married, they gardened together. Their family garden was like a “little piece of Heaven” for them. It was one of Bernie’s favorite places, a place of peace and beauty where seeds — seeds of Hope — were planted, a place where God’s Miracles were constantly obvious. A part of the legacy Bernie leaves to his children and grandchildren is definitely a love of gardening and of helping to heal Mother Earth. “The land is Heart, the land is Home”… The Land is Hope!

Bernie loved crossword puzzles, board games, BINGO, fun and loving conversations with his wonderful grandchildren who adored their time with their Pappau. He loved sipping “bold” coffee and conversations with those he loved deeply. He loved pasta, sauce and meatballs. He loved all kinds of music… One day, not long ago, he said “One thing they’ll say about this man is that he loved music!”… He loved the Temptations, Isaac Hayes, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Al Green, Andrea Bocelli, and so many more. He liked to dance — and he liked to sing!

Bernie loved his station wagons because they could accommodate all of his family and even have a space for one of the kids’ friends. He loved his big van and he loved road trips when he and Laurette would travel across the country to visit their children, and sometimes the van would be filled with people and the grand-pups too…

And, of course, Bernie loved Penn State and especially Penn State Football because it connected him to his family, his upbringing and to his dear faithful friends and to happy memories in Happy Valley. Often, Bernie would leave notes for his family that said “PSU Know I love you!” He loved tailgating and cheering for his favorite Nittany Lions!

One of the best things about Bernie was his sense of humor and his appetite for fun. He was a man who turned ordinary moments into the best part of the day. When his kids were growing up, it was not uncommon for Bernie to wake his children by calling up the stairs “time for milking,” as if they lived on a dairy farm. He loved mornings and driving his kids to school at St. James and Mater Dei.

One of Bernie’s favorite jokes to tell (and he had many) involved a man ordering a pizza, who when asked if he wanted it cut into 8 or 10 pieces, said, “Just 8 because there’s no way I can eat 10.”

And Bernie loved Christmas. He loved buying gifts, wrapping gifts, hiding gifts. Last Christmas he took it upon himself to write a special prayer for his family, reciting it before the Lasagna Christmas dinner… it was a golden time and the Family gave great thanks to God for “Dad” and for the Miracles bestowed on us… Bernie cared deeply about faith, about his Benevolent God and about bringing his Family together around both.

Bernie had a brilliant memory for names and for details that would embellish every story he told. He was an analytical thinker and a wonderful conversationalist who could talk about a Columbo episode or a childhood memory, or a St. James Cougar basketball tourney win from years back, or a Mater Dei State Championship football win, or any story about his children’s growing-up days, and it was as if the listener was “right there.”

What mattered most to Bernie was being a Dad and a husband and a Pappau, and having everybody together and protected.

Bernie was a great provider for his Family. He worked hard, worked several part-time jobs alongside his full-time work. He also provided heart and soul in teaching and loving and guiding his children. When Bernie took on any endeavor in life, he would give it his all. He had a beautiful tender heart; he cared so much. That’s how God had designed him. Throughout every moment, Bernie was always considering his Family.

And Bernie was full of courage and strength… an unimaginable, indomitable strength within him. He fought through more than most people could endure and he did it because he wanted to be here for the people he loved and cherished… He cared so much.

Bernard Edward Faraone loved — LOVES — his Family so much, as they love him so much. When speaking of love, it can only be used in the present tense because love transcends our earthly world. Love binds us all together as it binds Heaven to Earth. We are always connected. Always and Forever.

Because of the gift of Bernie’s Life, His Family — and the lives of many — have been changed… for good.

He is deeply loved and cherished by his wife Laurette; their children: Kathryn Leigh (Katie) Faraone, Ben and Mallory, Dominic and Justine Faraone, Tessa Marie Faraone, Juliette Dorinne Faraone and Emily Wilke; his grandchildren Gabriel, Elena, Henry; Bernie’s siblings: Annamarie Faraone, Ruthanne Resch, Shawn Madewell, Lee Madewell and sister-in-law Cynthia Dixon; Bernie and Laurette’s Godchildren Tara Resch, Anna Luigs, and Jeremy Kissel, and many other nieces and nephews.

Bernie was welcomed into Heaven by Bernie and Laurette’s child who was taken to Heaven before birth; Bernie’s parents, Bernard and Dorothy Quick Faraone; Bernie’s parents-in-law George and Renilda Meny Kissel; his sister Barbara Faraone Roman and brother-in-law Bob Roman; Bernie’s good friends Bernie Emmert and Uncle Hilary Meny.

Special thanks to Glenn for the Healing and Hope he brought to Bernie’s heart and soul; to Bernie’s friends for their constancy; to every Healing Helper and to the people at River Pointe who brought us encouragement and Light; to Uncle Ted’s Band; to Jill for being an extra-special friend to Bernie; to Leah for her prayers and kindness and haircuts; and to all who touched Bernie’s life with love and Kindness. Thanks to Bernie’s siblings and big Family and to Laurette’s siblings and big Family for their deep love for Bernie and for every prayer offered to Heaven for him.

We thank our Gracious God for the gift of Bernie’s Life and for golden days and Miracles and for the Hope and Gratitude that fill our Hearts.

And we thank our Children who have given their utmost to their Dad and Mom, doing more than what anyone could do — sharing Hope and Healing, Energy, Knowledge, Time, Strength, Great Courage and Unwavering Love. Words are not big enough to express our Gratitude and our love for you… And we thank our dear grandchildren who have brightened their Pappau’s every moment along the way. You are Pappau’s Cheerleaders!… During this beautiful blessed month of November, as our family celebrates Dad’s Birthday on November 21 at the Basilica Mass in St. Louis, and as we celebrate Thanksgiving Day, our Hearts can only be grateful for the Gift of Dad and for the gifts you all are to us…

WE ARE… Family!

A Mass thanking God for Bernie’s Life will be offered on Saturday, November 14, 2026, at St. James Catholic Church in Haubstadt, Indiana. The Mass will begin at 11:00 a.m., with Visitation from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Following the Mass, everyone is welcome to come to a celebration at the Paul Grimes House on the campus of the University of Southern Indiana, Evansville, Indiana.

Memorial gifts for Bernie can be made to the St. James Catholic School Athletic Fund in Haubstadt, and to the United Caring Shelter in Evansville.