Bernard Degrande

Bernard (BJ) DeGrande, age 82, of Paola, KS, died July 1, 2008. A Visitation will be Wednesday, July 2, 2008 from 6 to 8 PM, with a Rosary at 6 PM at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Paola. The Funeral will be held the following morning at 10:00 AM at the church. Burial will follow the service at the Holy Cross Cemetery in Paola. He was born October 24, 1925 in Lenexa, KS to Charles and Anna (Zahner) DeGrande. He Attended Holy Trinity Elementary School in Lenexa, KS. He graduated from Shawnee Mission North High School in 1944. He joined the Navy after high school and served on a mine sweeper for two years. He married Mary Frances Thompson, February 11, 1950, in Lenexa. Together they were the parents of four children. He was a member of the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Paola, KS. and a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus. He was a member of the American Legion Post #156, Paola. He was a farmer for most of his life and started working for Crown Realty in 1980 which he retired from in 2006. He served on the Miami County Board of Realty. He was a past member of Rural Water Dist. #2, Farm Bureau, and he was a 4-H leader. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary DeGrande who passed away on May 22, 2008, his parents, and infant great grandsons, Jesse and Wyatt DeGrande. He is survived by sons Carl and his wife, Terry and David DeGrande all of Paola. Daughters Joyce and husband Ron Smith of Paola and Patty and husband Mike Wiseman of Baldwin City, KS. He also leaves a sister, Jane Scherman, of Shawnee, KS, ten grandchildren and ten great grandchildren. Holy Trinity Catholic Church Service: Thursday, July 03, 2008 10:30 AM Visitation: Wednesday, July 02, 2008 6:00 PM to 12:00 PM