Bernard J. Groner, 84, of Jefferson City MO passed away February 22, 2025, peacefully in his home.

Bernard was born May 20, 1940, in Jefferson City to John H. and Lydia (Westerman) Groner at St. Mary’s Hospital.  He graduated from Helias High School in 1958 and from the University of Notre Dame in 1962.

On July 13, 1963, he was united in marriage to Donna Jean Whitener.  They were married for more than 60 years, residents of Jefferson City and members of Immaculate Conception parish.  Donna preceded him in death on March 24, 2024.

Bernard is survived by his four daughters:  Maria Groner (Phil) Watson of Arnold MO; Alice Groner of Jefferson City; Jennifer Groner of Lee’s Summit MO; and Amanda Groner (Andrew) Avenoso of Herndon VA.  Also surviving him are his eight grandchildren:  Grace Dittmer (Jon) Scoggins, Lydia Watson, Henry Watson, Matthew Groner, Sarah Groner, Leo Avenoso, Adeline Avenoso, and Claire Avenoso; his son-in-law Steve Dittmer; and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

In addition to his wife Donna, Bernard was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers:  Richard, Henry, Robert, and the Reverend John Groner.

Bernard was a partner in Groner & Picker Consulting Engineers and P&G Development.  One of his proudest achievements was his work for the Clarence Cannon Water Supply District, bringing clean and reliable water to northeast Missouri.  His work is memorialized by the district with a water supply tank named in his honor, Bernie’s Barrel. As a partner with P&G, he found it challenging and rewarding to develop, build, and manage commercial properties for IBM, the State of Missouri and the Federal Government. He finally retired in 2022 at the age of 82.  In addition to business, he managed the Groner Family farm for 40 plus years, volunteered his time to Immaculate Conception church, and was a Member of the Knights of Columbus, serving as a Grand Knight and on the Home Association.

Bernard and Donna thoroughly enjoyed traveling; visiting all of the United States and Canada, as well as Central America, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand.  A trip to Oelde Germany, the ancestral home of his mother’s family, led to friendships that began an exchange between German high school students and Jefferson City and Helias High Schools.

Bernard was an avid sportsman and loved hunting and fishing; whether it was deer hunting on the family farm, elk hunting in the Colorado Rockies, pheasant hunting in South Dakota, deep sea fishing in Mexico, or lake fishing in the remote wilderness of northern Canada, he enjoyed it all.

Bernard spent his life taking care of people. He loved feeding people…and eating too.  No matter where he was in the world he could sit down next to a stranger, start up a conversation, and have a friend at the end of it.  He was fun, witty, and loved to tease in a good natured way.  He was a big man with an even bigger heart.  He was tenacious with a passion to provide and to protect and to build for his family and his community. Bernard stated that the pride of his life were his children and grandchildren, and they were all with him when he died.  The last words of his life were, “Love, Love, Love”.

Visitation will be 4-6 p.m. Tuesday, February 25, 2025, at Trimble Funeral Homes – Jefferson City with a prayer service at 6 p.m.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Wednesday at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church with the Rev. Matthew Flatley officiating.

Burial will be in the Groner family plot at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church Capital Campaign or to the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

Services entrusted to Trimble Funeral Homes – Jefferson City. trimblefunerals.com