Bernard S. Stanek

HOPKINS - Bernard Joseph “Stan” Stanek, 96, passed on Thursday, May 18, 2017. He is survived by his wife of 74 years, Blanche Virginia Long, from Saluda, S.C.; daughter LuAnne S. Albert; four grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Bernard was predeceased by his son, Bernard J. Stanek Jr.; his parents, Emman and Victoria Stanek; his brother, Marvin Stanek; and sister, Lucille Vodak. Bernard “Stan,” a dairy farmer from Yuba, WI, served as a heroic bomber pilot in the U.S. Army Air Corps from 1941-1945, flying missions over France and Germany. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and five Air Medals for his flight leadership and noble valiance in WWII. Marrying Miss Long on August 9, 1942, in Columbia, he returned from England to earn a degree in Dairy Science Agriculture from Clemson University and raise LuAnne and Bernard Jr. Stan worked for Edisto Farms as a field service technician, where he developed a passion for conservation. He then worked as an independent milk-equipment distributor while continuing more than 20 years of service in the U.S. Air Force Reserves, retiring as Lt. Col. in 1967. He served as president of the Lower Richland Ruritan Club, a lifelong member of Mill Creek United Methodist Church and an active participant in the Mill Creek United Methodist Men's Club. He was also a member of the 487th Bomb Group and the 41G Flying Class reunions where he held multiple offices throughout the years. Stan was an avid hunter, Golden Eagle of the NRA, a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. A visitation will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Monday, May 22, 2017 at Mill Creek United Methodist Church, 1041 Old Garners Ferry Road, Columbia, SC. Funeral services will follow at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Mill Creek United Methodist Church. We will always love and miss you daddy, granddaddy, granddad, and go daddy—you are truly our hero.