Bernie Waldon - 6/27/12

[Jack Stoner]

I'm saddened to report my dear friend and bandmate and Florida Steel Guitar Club backup band member Bernie Waldon passed away today. He suffered a Cardiac Arrest Monday morning and was unable to recover.

There is no service planned. He will be cremated. His wife said there may be a memorial at some later time.

Mac (his wife) asked me to notify everyone.

Please say a prayer for the Waldon's.

Bernie was born in Crawfordsville Indiana but spent most of his time, until his Florida retirement, in Indianapolis. He was a DJ on WIRE-AM in Indianapolis and at WZIP in Cincinatti.

Bernie was a R.O.P.E. member.

[Nick Reed]

Bernie will be sadly missed, Catfish Johnny's Jam's will never seem the same again without him. Go R.I.P. my friend, you'll be in our hearts forever!

[Don Sulesky]

I am saddened beyond belief to hear this news.
He was a great friend and I loved his bass playing when we had our club jams every month. I would always make sure he was on bass when I had my turn to play. We would always get a chuckle when I'd throw some new song on him without the charts. He will sorely be missed by everyone he touch along his way in life.
May the good Lord find a place at the head of the table for you Bernie.
Don

[Blake Hawkins]

Very sad about this news. Along with all the other
pickers in this area, I will miss Bernie. Always cheerful, fine musician, excellent MC as well.
Bernie had many talents and used them to help and
enhance the lives of others.
Our prayers are with him and his family.
Blake

[Mike Gross]

Very sad! I heard and became aware of Bernie on Jack Stoner's latest CD. Bernie is another of too many losses in the music world

[Raymond Thiebault]

We are also saddend by the passing of Bernie. Always enjoyed his playing and friendship and will miss seeing and hearing him play at the FSGA meetings. Our prayers go out to his wife and family. R.I.P. Bernie.

Blessings,
Ray & Claire

[Joe Casey]

I only met Bernie once on a personal level when he came to my home..We had a great visit and the man sure had Country music knowlege..Sorry to hear of his passing..You guys had a good country sound and what looked like guys always having fun..

[Doc Hope]

So sorry to hear of Bernie,he was always a great friend to everyone at the jam,prayers for his wife & family.
Doc & Mary Hope

[Jack Stoner]

There will be a Celebration of Life for Bernie at Catfish Johnny's on July 14, 1PM.

The Hushpuppy Band (with a replacement for Bernie) will be the backup band, like the Tuesday jams.

The restaurant will be providing free snacks.

[Jack Dougherty]

This has been a bad year for sure......We have lost too many already. This is sad news indeed. Bernie and I often talked about airplanes. My prayers to the family. RIP.

[Mark Hayes]

Bernie wil be missed at our Florida Steel Guitar Jam and the Oxford Jam every Monday. A true gentleman with a heart of gold. Always willing to talk and offer sound advice. Our prayers to his family. He gave of himself to the music industry in Florida. County music has lost a real promoter.

Mark Hayes
The Villages, FL

[Jack Stoner]

I visited his widow (Mac) this morning. George Hamilton Iv is planning on being at the Celebration as is Merv Shiner (he had the million hit on Peter Cottontail in 1950).

Songwriter/singer Kent Westbury (he wrote "Love on a hot afternoon" that was a hit for Gene Watson) is a maybe for the Celebration. Bernie worked some shows with Kent the last 2 or 3 winters.

Jim Clark, Lead Guitar player and singer from Hudson Fl that Bernie worked with quite a bit.

There may be other singers there. Several of our Florida Steel Guitar Club members have said they would be there. And his many friends and fans from Catfish Johnny's and the Oxford shows.

Sons and daughters and other relatives are coming in from Indianapolis.

[Jack Stoner]

Here is Bernie's obit as published in the Indianapolis newspaper:

Bernard E. "Bernie" Waldon

77, of Brooksville, FL, formerly of Indianapolis, passed away June 27, 2012. He was born in Crawfordsville, IN, to Floyd and Agnes Waldon. He graduated from Crawfordsville High School and moved to Indianapolis in 1965.

Bernie worked in radio for several years at WILO, WHOW, and WIRE in Indianapolis and WZIP in Cincinnati. He was a musician working with several Country and Bluegrass groups mainly The Indiana Band and Bluegrass Partners. He appeared on radio and T.V., was a guest on the Grand Ole Opry and Renfro Valley Barn Dance.

Bernie retired from Emery Worldwide in 1977, prior to that he worked for Purolator Courier. Bernie was a private pilot and past President of the Indiana Chapter of the Antique Airplane Association of which he was a national lifetime member. He also belonged to the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Associations, the Experimental Airplane Association and the Luscombe Association. He served eight years in the Indiana National Guard.

Bernie is survived by his wife of 45 years, Hurma "Mac" Waldon; four children - two stepsons and two stepdaughters, Kathleen (Steve) Geralds, Pat (Jennifer) McCotter, Laura McCotter and Mike (Nannette) McCotter; sister, Joyce (Jim) Northcutt; stepmother, Genetha Waldon; 11 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews; and many friends.

A Celebration of Life is being held in Lake Panasoffkee, FL. Services are pending at Shirley Brothers Irving Hill Chapel, Indianapolis, IN.


Published in the The Indianapolis Star on July 3, 2012

[Laurie Ayres]

I'm sorry to hear about Bernie also. I remember his bass playing well. My prayers for comfort and peace go out to his family and friends.

We have lost so many good players from our music world.

God's Blessings,
Laurie