Bernard Benjamin Born Jr., age 94, of Flora, Illinois, passed away Monday morning, August 31, 2026.

      He was born May 8, 1932, in Woodworth, North Dakota, the son of Bernard B. Born Sr. and Maythol (Heathcote) Born.  He married Nancy (Link) Born, who passed away on December 18, 1984.  He then married Rosemarie (Astorino Gill) Born on March 19, 1988, and they shared 38 years together.

      Bernie worked for Cargill as a branch manager in several locations over the years.  He was an Army veteran of the Korean War, serving from 1952-1954.  During that time, he received the Korean Service Medal with two bronze stars, the Meritorious Unit Commendation, Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and the United Nations Service Medal.

      He actively served in leadership roles and on several committees at Bethany Lutheran Church in West Branch, Iowa, and at First Methodist Church in Flora.  For years he delighted in singing in the Methodist Church choir.

      Bernie always enjoyed talking about growing up in Watertown, South Dakota.  He loved being close to Lake Kampeska and spending time outdoors.  He was lucky to grow up surrounded by family and good friends, and those relationships meant a lot to him.  Watertown and the people there were an important part of who Bernie was and brought him many memories he carried with him throughout life.  He received his bachelor’s degree at the University of South Dakota in Vermillion, South Dakota.

      He enjoyed fishing, hunting, golf, going to sporting events, and attending his grandchildren’s activities throughout the years.  He and Rose loved traveling to visit family scattered throughout the country.  For many years they enjoyed camping with their camping club to area parks in southern Illinois.

      He is survived by his wife, Rose; six children: daughter, Debra Castle of Clinton, Iowa; sons, Dave (Amy) Born of Grand Junction, Colorado, Doug (Meg) Born of Medford, Oregon, Dan (Noemi) Born of Iowa City, Iowa, Dennis (Lori) Born of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Don (Janelle) Born of Solon, Iowa; two stepchildren, Josie (Jeff) Gill Wood of Cedar Hill, Missouri, and Ryan (Karie) Gill of Carver, Minnesota; nineteen grandchildren: Adam Castle, Aaron Castle, Andrew Castle, Ashley Wilson, Eli Born, Zoey Born, Amy Born, Allie Born, Hannah Born, Tatum Born, Tyler Born, Kelsey Bohle, Lucas Born, Eva Born, Jordan Oleson, Jonah Guerrettaz, Sophia Guerrettaz, Bradley Gill, Carter Gill; eleven great-grandchildren; one brother, Kermit Born of Aberdeen, South Dakota; and one sister, June (Larry) Potts of Plano, Texas.

      He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Nancy Born; one brother, Theron Born; and one grandson, Noah Guerrettaz.

      A Celebration of Life ceremony will be held at 1 p.m. on Sunday, September 20, 2026, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora with the presentation of military funeral honors at the conclusion of the ceremony.  Pastor Mark Smith will officiate.  A visitation will be held from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Sunday at the funeral home.  Memorial donations are suggested to any charity of the donor’s choice, and these will be accepted through the funeral home.  To share a condolence or memory, visit: www.frankandbright.com