Sandy Bernreuter

Sandra (Sandy) Ann Tarrant Bernreuter, daughter of Paul Tarrant and Viola Griffin, passed away at the age of 69 on March 20, 2026.

A visitation will be held on Friday evening, April 10, from 6:00-8:00 PM in the Kirby Memorial Chapel at Shuler Funeral Home. Funeral services will be Saturday, April 11, at 3:00 PM at St. John in the Wilderness Episcopal Church. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. A reception will be hosted by the church following services in the reception hall.

Sandy was born in Gainesville, Florida, where she graduated from high school at Oak Hall School. She continued her education at TCU, in Ft. Worth, TX, Santa Fe College in Gainesville, FL, Flagler College in St. Augustine, FL, and, UNF in Jacksonville, FL

Sandy is survived by her loving husband, Bert Bernreuter, whom she married 45 years ago at the First Baptist Church in Gainesville, FL.

Sandy is also survived by her sisters Paula Tarrant and Linda Smith (Tom), her sister-in-law Barbara Winitzer, her brothers-in-law John Bernreter III (Mary), and Bob Bernreuter (Iris), and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Sandy worked for over 30 years at the University of North Florida as an Administrative Assistant for many offices and departments, including The General Counsel's Office, Women's Center, Music Department, Math Department, and Physics Department. She was awarded many recognitions, including the USPS Employee of the Year Award in 1994. While at the University, she was loved by her co-workers and students. She mentored many students who worked for her, many of whom have become lifelong friends and who have claimed that Sandy was an important part of their development in college. Sandy's heart was so big that she became the Director of the Student Chapter of the National Society of Leadership and Success at UNF, where she touched the lives of students campus-wide – instilling in them leadership principles taught by world-class business leaders through the processes set forth by the National Society.

Sandy was a loving, giving, sweet-natured, and forgiving person who accepted and loved people for who they were without judgment. Her loving nature would encourage people to be happy and she would help inspire them to reach for their dreams. Sandy loved her family and visited them as often as she could. Sandy loved her "bling" – just take a look at her jewelry, sunglasses, shoes, and other accessories. She loved playing the piano. She loved playing duets with Tom (brother-in-law), she performed at piano festivals, accompanied ensembles and student soloists at competitions, and also gave private piano lessons. She enjoyed assisting Bert teach his band students – they all loved her. She also loved singing, going to music concerts, and going to Gator events (especially to see Bert play in the band). She loved to cook and loved to talk "bourbon". Sandy loved to dance. She took ballroom dancing classes with Bert. She was an adventurous soul who loved to travel all over the world. She was very inquisitive and continued learning all her life.

Sandy has a deep faith and truly loves Jesus. Sandy's church life started at the First Baptist Church in Gainesville, FL, then at Disciples of Christ while at TCU in Ft. Worth, TX, and at First Baptist Church in Jacksonville, FL, and ending at St. John in the Wilderness in Flat Rock, NC. She fell in love with St. John in the Wilderness and decided to make it her last home, to be buried in the churchyard.