Sandra Jo Bernhard

Sandra Jo Bernhard, age 73, of Naperville, Illinois passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 30, 2026 after an intense battle with Creutzfeldt-Jakobs Disease, leaving behind a close-knit family who miss her deeply.

Sandy was born on April 10, 1953 in Carthage, Illinois to Elmer and Kathryn (Johnson) Hamman. She was the salutatorian of Carthage High School, class of 1971. Sandy graduated from Western Illinois University summa cum laude in 1975. Sandy had several careers throughout her life before retiring from Illinois Hospital Association after 20 years of service, with the last 15 as Help Desk Manager in IT.

Sandy exhibited Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-Control and that is how she blessed others. Sandy was a faithful wife, loving mother and a doting grandmother, who considered her grandchildren the crowns in her life with each one a Gift from GOD.

Sandy is survived by her husband Mark Bernhard, whom she married May 22, 1976. Also surviving is her daughter Allison (Matthew) Schramm of Goshen, IN, and son Joel (Sara) Bernhard of Sycamore, IL; five grandchildren Ryne, Sydney, Remington, John Mark and Penelope; her siblings Stephen Hamman of Carthage, IL, and Jeannine (Joseph) Stevenson of Sun City, AZ, and her brother-in-law Dennis Bruns of Brimfield, IL. She is also survived by multiple nephews and nieces. Sandy was preceded in death by her parents, sister Janice Kay Bruns of Brimfield, IL and her nephew Daniel Hamman of Carthage, IL.

Sandy was an avid rose gardener, and she blessed others through the tradition her mother started of bountifully giving them away.

As a teenager, Sandy was introduced to her Heavenly Father through confirmation at her childhood church. After marriage, she responded to the Holy Spirit by confessing Jesus as her personal Lord and Savior and was baptized soon thereafter. Her growth in Faith continued as Sandy progressed throughout her life. She faithfully attended GracePointe Church for 29 years where she worshiped and served joyfully. Her amazing growth included serving as a natural Stephen minister, a Sunday school teacher, Apples of God mentor, and a friend to all. She enjoyed many years of BSF where she stored the Word in her heart and then shared just the right verse at the right time for others. During her journey back Home, Sandy looked not to the left nor to the right, but focused on Jesus. Sandy’s race is run and her mission accomplished. Hallelujah, Amen and AMEN!

Visitation:

Thursday, October 8, 1-3 pm

Grace Pointe Naperville

Celebration of Life:

Thursday, October 8, 3-4 pm

Grace Pointe Naperville

Donations may be made to:

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