Bernard Harriman

Bernard "Bernie" Harriman of Columbus died Sunday, July 6, 2014 at Columbus Community Hospital.

Bernard J. Harriman was born August 14th, 1924 in Clearwater, NE to Ezra and Edith (Rodabaugh) Harriman. He lived in Clearwater until he entered the US Army during World War II. He served as an Army cook in the Philippines and Japan. Bernie married Gay Armstrong on October 25th, 1947 in Long Pine, NE. When he finished his military service he worked as a night watchman in Omaha while going to college. Then he worked as a depot agent in several small towns for Chicago Northwestern Railroad for nine years. Bernie and Gay moved to Columbus in 1957 and joined the Bible Baptist Church and he served as a deacon. He worked for Gehring Ready Mix at this time, and then in 1965 he owned and ran City Delivery and EFD Freight Company until 1981. He then worked as a cook at Columbus Truck Plaza until the flood of 1993. After this he went to work with his wife Gay at Tooley Luncheonette until 2000. He then retired and took care of his wife who was ill until 2001 when she passed away.

During Bernie's life in Columbus he and his wife took into their home families and people in need until they were able to live on their own. In 1965 his nephew Dale Brinkman moved into their home and lived there for some time. Dale and his wife Chris cared for Bernie in the last years of his life. He will be remembered by many with love and respect.

He is survived by:
Sister Beverly (Edwin) Fink of Virginia
Sisters-in-law: Leatrice Behnk of Greeley, NE, Twila Neuwirth of Columbus, NE, June Wilgocki of Columbus, NE, and Deanna Kleider of Springfield, NE
Brother-in-law Danny (Connie) Armstrong of Bellwood, NE
Many Nieces, Nephews, and Relatives and friends

He is preceded in death by:
Wife Gay Harriman
Parents Ezra and Edith Harriman
Brothers Vaughn and Harold Harriman
Mother-in-law Luella Armstrong