Ronnie "Butch" Ashley Bernard

Ronnie Ashley “Butch” Bernard, 74 of Russell Springs passed away Sunday, December 7, 2025, at his home on the farm of his grandparents. He was born March 27, 1951, and graduated with the Russell County High School Class of 1969. He was reared, lived, and died within one mile of the farm on which he was born. Except for recent hospital stays, he spent very few nights in his 74 years away from Bernard Ridge. 

Butch attended Somerset Vocational School, attended Bernard Ridge Church of God, was on the board of Lucinda Cemetery, worked as a carpenter and at Fruit of the Loom, and was an avid reader; but his vocation was as a farmer. He cherished farm life with his wife, the late Sandy Stephens Bernard. In addition to growing tobacco, hay, soybeans, vegetable gardens, and flowers, Butch’s love and passion was his animals from his childhood horse, Old Dutch, to the dogs, cats, cows, rabbits, chickens, and donkeys to whom he provided devoted care until his death.

In addition to his wife, Butch was preceded in death by his parents, Johnny Green and Martha Stephens Bernard.

He is survived by his sisters Rosalie Loy and her husband Arvis of Jamestown, Donna Hopkins and her husband Tony of Mount Vernon, and Connie Foster and her husband Junior of Russell Springs; nieces and nephews Jeron Loy and his wife Jennifer, Beth Foster, Maria Bryant and her husband Jamie, Ken Hopkins and his wife Serenity, Bretta Foster, Bridget Clark and her husband Stephen, Stephen Hopkins, and Benjamin Foster and his wife Jamie; fourteen great nephews and nieces; one great-great niece; special friend Joyce Martin; many cousins and extended family members; and Bernard Ridge Church of God, Bernard Ridge community, and Russell County loved ones.

At Butch’s request, graveside services will be at Lucinda Cemetery on Bernard Ridge. All who wish to remember Butch and celebrate his life are invited to the graveside service at 1 p.m. on Thursday, December 11, 2025. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to Bernard Church of God.

Funeral arrangements for Mr. Ronnie “Butch” Bernard are under the care and direction of Bernard Funeral Home. An online guestbook is available at www.bernardfuneralhome.com.

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