Bernell Woodrow Walch

February 7, 1951 — October 6, 2022

Quietly, peacefully, Bernell passed away Thursday afternoon, October 6, 2022. His last deep breath echoed the words recorded in 2 Timothy 4:7 “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.”

Born February 7, 1951, Bernell was the first child of Oscar Woodrow and Bernice Harriet Kunkel Walch. Bountiful, Utah was Bernell’s first home, then came his family’s move to Briar Avenue in Provo, Utah.

Attending Wasatch Elementary, Farrer Junior High, Bernell graduated from Provo High in 1969. An active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Bernell served in the various priesthood quorums and the scouting program. With Oscar as his scoutmaster, Bernell earned the rank of Eagle Scout.

Following high school, Bernell secured summer employment as a food service worker in the Grand Canyon of Arizona. In the Fall, Bernell enrolled at Dixie State College in St George. Bernell’s plans and dreams began to unravel with the onset of schizophrenia.

Returning home to Provo, Bernell benefitted from the various programs offered by the Wasatch Mental Health system. (now Wasatch Behavioral Health) With diminishing hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills, Bernell was unable to work, though he trained in auto mechanics, janitorial services and retail shelf stocking, through Wasatch Behavioral Health’s programs.

With the passing of his mother, Bernice in 2014 and later, his father Oscar’s deteriorating health, Bernell took up residence at Orem Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing, in Orem, Utah.

Bernell was preceded in death by his parents, Oscar and Bernice, brothers Erich and Warren. Bernell is survived by his sisters: Tana Hunter; Rexburg Idaho, Zina Johnson; Provo, Utah, Anita Allen; Highland, Utah, sister-in-law Veronica Walch; Tehachapi, California, plus a large collection of nieces, nephews, grand nieces and nephews and numerous cats and dogs.

We are grateful for the many years of service rendered to Bernell by the Wasatch Behavioral Health organization and for those who served him at Orem Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing.

Bernell belonged to the Hillcrest Nursing Home Branch of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, participating in their activities and benefiting from their kindness and generosity.

We would like to thank the team at Utah Valley Hospital’s Emergency Department and the nursing staff of the 8th floor for their care of Bernell.

Bernell was able to come home with the assistance of the I Care Hospice group who helped ease us all through his passing.

A celebration of Bernell’s life will be held on Saturday October 22, 2022 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints building, 1900 North University Avenue, 11:00am, or join us on Zoom: https://cricut.zoom.us/j/99187534919 .

Interment will be in the Provo City Cemetery at a later date.