Berne Keith “Bernie” Dutcher, age 83, formerly of Morris, Pennsylvania, passed away Tuesday, April 15 at his home in Wellsboro.

Bernie was the son of the late William and Jennie (Campbell) Dutcher. Bernie was a graduate of Liberty High School and enlisted in the U.S. Army, where he became a military police officer and paratrooper assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division. He deployed to the Dominican Republic in support of Operation Power Pack in 1965 for which he was awarded the Combat Infantryman’s Badge and Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.

After the Army, Bernie became a journeyman electrician and member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. In 1967, he married his wife of more than 57 years, Ruth E. Dutcher.

He is survived by his wife; 2 daughters, Jennifer (Chuck) Maurer of Smithfield, Virginia, and Julie (Scott) Cariss of Phillipsburg, New Jersey; two grandchildren, Maxwell and Adeline Cariss; sister in law, Gail Dutcher of Wellsboro, PA, sister, Kay Noelk of Florence, AZ; sister, Cheryl (Ferlin) Scarborough of Vance, AL, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by 3 sisters and 4 brothers.

Bernie was a member of Tabernacle Baptist Church and loved the Lord. Besides serving his church, he enjoyed woodworking, reading, history, and spending time with family and friends.

A memorial service will be held at Tabernacle Baptist Church, Tioga, PA on Friday, April 25 at 2 p.m. with Pastor Steven Neff officiating. Interment will be in the Shumway Hill Cemetery, Wellsboro, PA.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Tabernacle Baptist Church, 9 Eden Ln, Tioga, PA 16946. Arrangements are entrusted to the Carleton Funeral Home, Inc. www.carletonfh.com Wellsboro, PA.