Name: Celebration of Life for Bernard M. LIONBERGER
Start: 2016-11-23T22:00:00.000Z
End: 2016-11-24T00:00:00.000Z
Location: Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home & Crematory - Helena

LIONBERGER, Bernard M.

November 28, 1941-
November 18, 2016

Bernard "Bernie" Melville Lionberger Jr. took his last trail ride on November 18, 2016, in the late evening, surrounded by his family at home. Bernie was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in early September. He was fighting to make his 75th birthday, which was later this month.

Bernie was born November 28, 1941, in Ft. Worth, Texas to Bernard Melville and Edna Marguerite Lionberger. He started working summers for the Forest Service in North Idaho when he was 19, and continued while pursuing his education. He graduated from Stephen F. Austin University and started teaching high school aviation at Arlington Heights High School in Ft. Worth, Texas. His first marriage was to Carole Vasbinder in 1964, and was blessed with two children, Anne and Rob. Throughout this time Bernie continued to drive or fly one of his airplanes to North Idaho, working in the forests he truly loved.

In 1980, he was offered a full time position as aviation officer with the Forest Service in Coeur d'Alene Idaho, which was a dream come true. He met Sherri Wilson while working on a fire in the Bob Marshall Wilderness, and they married in 1985. They were blessed with twin daughters Erin and Tara.

Bernie's passion for aviation began in his twenties and he made a career out of teaching or managing aircraft. His hobbies were numerous; he had a ham radio license since age 15, he was an avid photographer, and he loved playing his guitar. He and Sherri traded in their plane for horses and spent all of their free time together riding and volunteering with the Back Country Horsemen groups in Idaho and Montana. Bernie had a love of camping, hiking, and riding to "see what is around the next corner, or over the next rise", which he passed down to all of his children and grandchildren.

Bernie's sense of humor was legendary. Everyone who knew Bernie knew of his wicked sense of humor, which was with him until the very end. He was also the Dallas Cowboy's most loyal fan. He subscribed to the Dallas Cowboy weekly for decades and rarely missed a game. The Sunday before he passed was spent watching the Cowboys defeat the Steelers in a dramatic fashion. Dallas Cowboys' coach Jason Garrett sent a signed football and message of encouragement to Bernie that he treasured until the end. Dallas' stellar season gave Bernie much joy during his battle with cancer.

Bernie is survived by his wife Sherri; daughter Anne (Giuseppe) Carraturo, son Rob (Rebecca) Lionberger, daughter Tara, daughter Erin (Troy) Clark; and grandchildren Alessandro and Isabella Carraturo, and Dylan and Jesse Lionberger. He is also survived by his beloved dog Buddy. He was preceded in death by his father, mother, and infant brother Alan.

A reception to celebrate Bernie will be held at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Avenue, Helena, MT on Wednesday, November 23, 2016, from 3:00 until 5:00 p.m. A memorial service will be held in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho on November 26, 2016, at 2:00 at Yates Funeral Home. Cremation has taken place and his ashes will be scattered at a later date. If you so wish, memorials may be made to the Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation, PO Box 190688, Hungry Horse, MT 59919 (www.bmwf.org). Please visit www.aswfuneralhome.com to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Bernie.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Spokesman-Review on Nov. 22, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Bernard LIONBERGER

13 Entries

Terri Bradley

November 14, 2025

Still remembered......

Steve Fikar

May 17, 2018

I was fortunate to be in Mr Lionberger's first aviation class in about 1973. As many have said, I enjoyed his humor and enthusiasm. I remember one day he canceled his lesson and instead took our whole class to Meacham Field so we could check out the wreckage of a recent plane "crash". It was fun. It was classic Mr Lionberger.
I was fortunate enough to locate him and contact him 40 years after graduation. Not only did he remember me, but he wrote me at length about what had happened to him the the 40 years that we parted ways. It was so, so nice to connect back with him. I sure do miss him. Yes, of course, he was my favorite teacher of all time too! Rest In Peace, Mr Lionberger.

Keith Robinson

November 28, 2016

Bernie was a great guy. I had him for several classes at Arlington Heights H.S. in Fort Worth, Texas. I was fortunate our paths crossed.

Katie Bane

November 28, 2016

What an amazing assortment of testimonials to Bernie! He touched so many folks in so many ways. Zach, Kassidy and I are so grateful for the time we were able to spend with Bernie and Sherri in the mountains with horses and hunting... "git wood", shooting stars around the campfire before retiring for the night, talus slope, glacial moraines, the Missoula Flood, the list is long. Bernie was a remarkable man with remarkable gifts and the world is a better place because of him. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all as you move forward. Please know we are thinking of you.

Brian Tave

November 28, 2016

Mr. Lionberger was by far my favorite teacher at Arlington Heights. Not only did I have him for GPS and Aviation, but was fortunate to have him for homeroom all four years from 1974-78. I did get to go flying with him which is something I'll never forget. His sense of humor was second to none and his book of limericks was a classic - I still remember some of them to this day. I had always hoped to run into him again, but unfortunately that never happened.

Rest in peace, Bernie. You'll be missed.

Eddy Whitsitt

November 28, 2016

Anybody that had Bernie as a teacher knew what a great person he truly was. Teaching us to fly was something most students in the rest of the U.S., never had the opportunity to experience. And yes, he would always end the class period with a little bit of CULTURE from his book of limericks. Rest easy my friend.

November 28, 2016

Bernie was my aviation teacher In 1979. He was a wonderful teacher and was loved by his students. His end of the world parties were legendary. He was by far my favorite teacher. Godspeed Mr. Lionberger.

Mary Callan Thomas

November 28, 2016

Bernie was my favorite teacher at AHHS in Ft Worth, TX. He was my coach on the girl's track team and my aviation teacher. I have very nice memories of this great teacher. He loved to recite limericks, sometimes not able to repeat all the words. He was a good man!

Lisa DeLue

November 27, 2016

I was so sorry to learn of Mr. Lionberger's passing. He was my favorite teacher at AHHS. I took Aviation 1 and 2 with him and he coached me in track as well. I have fond memories of going up in his Piper for flying "lessons" several times all for the price of washing his plane and $5.00 for gas. He was a humorous, inspiring teacher and I admired the work he did in the summers helping fight fires by plane. Truly a great educator and human being.

Terri Bradley

November 27, 2016

What a great teacher. He was my teacher for aviation in AHHS. Patient with a great sense of humor. He will be missed. Prayers for him and his family.

Paul St. John

November 27, 2016

I moved to Fort Worth from Houston in the 10th grade. I was fortunate enough to be placed in Bernie's homeroom at Arlington Heights. We knew our school day would always be greeted by the friendly smile of Bernie, and we hoped one of his famous limericks. Of course I took his aviation class, and took the FAA written test, which I passed. I did not go on to be a pilot, but Bernie gave all of us an appreciation of aviation and of life. I'm thankful I got to communicate with him a few times over the last decades about his love of flying and protecting nature in the national forest. He was a special man whose impact will be felt for many years to come.

Bill Misuk

November 24, 2016

I was a student of Bernie's at Heights from 1972-1976. I was in all of his aviation classes from one through four and was his teachers aide twice. The first time I actually flew an airplane was with Bernie in his Piper Cherokee 140,N7593R. I still remember every minute of it and came home to tell my parents I was going to be a pilot. I did go on to a flying career that is still continuing and something I still love to do. I would have to say that outside of my own family Bernie was one of the greatest influences on the course of my life. He was a terrific teacher and a lot of fun to be around. I will miss him and remember him.

November 23, 2016

Mr. Lionberger was my favorite teacher in high school. A.H.H.S. in Fort Worth.
He was very enthusiastic about science and patiently helped me balance scientific equations. :)
Rachel (Robshaw)Sebastian
Godley,TX

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