Mr. Bernard "Barney" Beattie Tate, age 89, of Hart, passed away Friday, April 4, 2014. He was born January 5, 1925, to Nathan and Florence (Beattie) Tate. He was born and raised in Elbridge Township. A member of Hart High School Class of 1943, he joined the military before graduation and proudly served in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II and remained in the reserves for many years. He married Elnora Bruckman on June 2, 1945, in Thomasville, Georgia. They were married fifty-four years before she passed away on July 1, 1999. Mr. Tate was employed as a chemical operator at DuPont until his retirement in 1987. Barney was a member of the American Legion Post 234 in Hart for over sixty-five years. He belonged to a flying club based at Oceana County Airport in the 1960s and loved taking family and friends up and "shoot" some landings. An avid reader and historian, Barney could discuss almost anything with anyone. He loved visits from family and friends, especially from the grandchildren. His door was always open.

Bernard is survived by his children, Janet (Alan) Lawson of Big Rapids, John (Nancy) Tate of Hart, David (Carole) Tate of Maricopa, Arizona, and Joanne Clark of Hart, and Brian (Michelle) Tate of Cedar Springs; ten grandchildren; eighteen great-grandchildren; his brother-in-law, Dr. Joe (Billie) Bruckman; and many loving nieces, nephews, friends and neighbors. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife,  his brother, Donald Tate, and his step-mother, Margie Tate.