Bernlohr

James A. Bernlohr, 79, of York died Sunday at the York Lutheran Retirement Village at Sprenkle Drive.

He was the loving husband of Rose Marie Bernlohr, to whom he was married for 47 years.

Jim was born Dec. 28, 1929, in Butler, the son of the late Albert and Helen Doerr Bernlohr. He was preceded in death by a sister, Jane Bernlohr in 1969.

He attended Butler High School and Thiel College, where he earned a degree in business. He worked at Mellon Bank in Butler before following his dream to work in the automotive business.

He began his automotive career with Chevrolet of Butler and then became district manager for Volkswagen Atlantic in the Western Pennsylvania region. He went to York in 1969 to serve as general manager for York Volkswagen, formerly Steuben Motors. Jim bought York Volkswagen in 1977 and became a member of several VW organizations including the Wolfsburg Crest Club. He also received the Vanguard Society Award for overall dealership excellence.

Jim was a member of the Advent Lutheran Church in York, where he attended services regularly and served as a past member of the church council.

He was cherished by his wife, his children and his grandchildren, and he loved being a father and a grandfather.

Surviving are his wife; a daughter, Susan E. Feldmann and her husband, Steve; and two sons, James A. Bernlohr Jr. and his wife, Linda, and Christopher S. Bernlohr and his wife, Christi, all of York. He also is survived by 10 loving grandchildren, David, Diana, John and Gregory Feldmann, David and Brian Decker, Anna Orso and Ryan, Mallory and Madison Bernlohr; and three great-grandchildren, Haley Palmer and Aiden and Taylor Decker.

<B>BERNLOHR</B> — A memorial service for James A. Bernlohr, who died Sunday, Aug. 9, 2009, will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at the Advent Lutheran Church, 1775 E. Market St., York, with his pastors, the Revs. David and Brenda Ritterpusch, officiating. Viewings will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the <B>Etzweiler Funeral Home</B>, 1111 E. Market St., York and from 10 to 10:45 a.m. Thursday at Owen Hall of Advent Lutheran Church before the service. Private burial will be in the Susquehanna Memorial Gardens, York.In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Advent Lutheran Church, 1775 E. Market St., York, PA 17402 or to the Alzheimer's Association of South Central PA, 3544 N. Progress Ave., Suite 205, Harrisburg, PA 17110 or at www.alz.org/join_the_cause_donate.asp.Information also is available at www.etzweiler.com.