Bernard T. "Bernie" Romportl, White Lake, age 72, passed away Thursday, April 20, 2017 at Cherry Meadows Hospice in Appleton due to complications   of pneumonia.  He was born in Rice Lake on April 30, 1944 to the late Frank and Agnes (Michna) Romportl.  Bernie married Betty Carr of Oklahoma on October 26, 1965 and spent 51 loving years with his wife.  Bernie was a hardworking husband and father, and spent over 20 years working at Accurate Alignment in Appleton as a heavy-duty suspension technician alongside his brothers, Bob and Ray, before his retirement in 2005.  Up North in White Lake has been a special place for Bernie and his family to spend time camping for numerous years, and after his retirement they made "Rumpy's Place" their permanent home.  Bernie enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, wine making, reading, playing games, and spending time with his friends and loved ones, including his cats Lilly and Smokey.

Bernie is survived by his wife, Betty; his children:  Laura Finch of Antigo; Mary Siddons of Chippewa Falls; Robert (Tina) Romportl of Kaukauna; Carolyn (Scott) Geske of Appleton; and Paula (Larry) Dassinger of Marlborough, MA; grandchildren:  James (Jennifer), Justin (Jenn) and Wally (Amanda Tyree) Finch, Melissa Caswell, Matt (Kayla) and Makayla Siddons, Andrew (Ashley) Gabrielson, Cody (Liz) Brittnacher, Danny (Angela) and Kaylyn VanDerSteen, Heather (Chris) Menting, Nick (Taylor Schaefer) Geske, Jeffrey and Jacob Kopplin; 18 great grandchildren; sister:  Veronica Kasel of Menasha; brothers: Francis, Joe (Charlotte), John all of Rice Lake, Bob (Carol) and Ray (Tamie Juno) Romportl of Appleton; brothers and sisters-in-law:  Ivone (Billy) Neely of Texas, Veda Phillips, Eugene and CM (Pam) Carr of Oklahoma.  He is further survived by many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

In addition to his parents, Bernie was preceded in death by his siblings:  Anthony and Theresa Romportl; father and mother-in-law:  Garten and Rose Carr; and brothers and sisters-in-law:  Jerry Kasel, Verlene "Tina" Romportl, Jimalee Boswell, Letha Hallberg, Joyce Carr, and Jimmy Don Phillips.

Visitation will be held Monday, April 24, 2017 at O'CONNELL FUNERAL HOME (1776 E. Main St. Little Chute) beginning at 11:00 a.m. until time of Funeral at 1:00 p.m.   Deacon Vincent De Groot will officiate.

Bernie will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.  The family would like to say thank you to the staff at ThedaCare and Cherry Meadows for taking such great care of them all during this time.