Bro. Bernard F. Stratman, S.M. died on Thursday, Jan. 10, at San Antonio's Methodist Hospital after a 20-year struggle with Parkinson's disease.  He was 71 and had been a Marianist religious for 52 years.

He was born in West Point, Nebraska. His parents were Leonard and Angeline (Disher) Stratman.  He has two sisters.  Bro. Bernie was introduced to the Marianists by his high school science teacher at Central Catholic H. S. in West Point.

After his first vows, he earned a B.A. at St. Mary's University, San Antonio.  In his early ministries, he was a high school teacher in Pueblo, CO and a communication specialist for the Marianist Province. After completing a Master's degree in Instructional Technology at Southern Illinois University, he began his service to the wider American church.

He worked for the Diocese of Brooklyn as a research assistant.  For five years, he served on the NCCB Committee on Evangelization in Washington, DC.  He worked for four years at the Institute for Pastoral Initiatives at the University of Dayton.  He began his work in Chicago with the National Federation of Priests' Councils in 1988 and served as the Executive Director until 2002.  He then became the Director of the Seminary Division of the National Catholic Education Assn. (NCEA) in Washington, DC until 2009.  At that time, due to health reasons, he retired and joined the Marianist Residence Community in San Antonio.  In 2009 he was awarded the Richard Cardinal Cushing Medal for Advancement of Church Research by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA).  In 2010, the NCEA awarded him the C. Alfred Koob Merit Award for his contributions to Catholic Education.

Bro. Bernie is survived by his two sisters:  Sr. Judanne Stratman, OSF, of Manitowoc, WI and Susan Stratman of Williamsport, IN.

FUNERAL SERVICES

On Thursday, January 17, there will be a viewing at 6:00 PM and a Rosary at 7:00 PM in the Marianist Residence Chapel, 520 Fordham Ave.

On Friday, January 18, there will be a viewing at 3:00 PM followed by the Eucharist of Christian Burial at 4:00 P.M. at the Marianist Residence Chapel.

Interment in the Marianist Cemetery will follow immediately after the Eucharist, followed by a reception and dinner at the Marianist Residence.

MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Marianist Mission, 4435 E. Patterson Road, Dayton, OH  45430.