Bernard E. Harwell, 90 of Ashtabula Township died Thursday (June 18th) at his home.  He was born May 19, 1925 in Huntington, West Virginia the son of Bernard E. and Dezzie Mae (Durrett) Harwell, Sr.

He graduated from Ashtabula High School where he played football, basketball and track. He was a veteran of the Navy during World War II serving in both in the Pacific and Atlantic Theater of Operations. He served onboard the USS Rodman where he fought in the battle of Okinawa and survived several kamikaze attacks.

He had worked for Ashtabula Rubber Company for 30 years retiring in 1989. He belong to Chapel Hills Golf Course and the Ashtabula Country Club. He enjoyed reading, Woodworking, scroll work, crafts but his passion was golf.

Bernie qualified and played in the 1948 US Open at Riveria Country Club in Los Angeles. He won the Regional Press Golf Tournament at least seven times and was a club champion at both Ashtabula Country Club and at Chapel Hills Golf Course numerous times. He had his tenth Hole in One on October 12, 2010 when he was 85.

Surviving him are his wife Barbara J. (Westover) Harwell whom he married September 6, 1947; three sons, Brett A. (Kathy May) Harwell of Caldwell, Idaho, Byron E. (Deborah) Harwell of North Kingsville, Ohio and Ben W. (Julie) Harwell of Wilder, Idaho; and two granddaughters, Tessa Wright and Kelsey Harwell. He was preceded in death by his parents and by his step-father, Rudolph Waess who helped raise him.

A celebration of Bernie’s life will be Saturday (June 27th) from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Chapel Hills Golf Course, 3381 Austinburg Road, Ashtabula, Ohio. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to Hospice of the Western Reserve, 1166 Lake Ave. Ashtabula, Ohio 44004. The Ashtabula Home of Fleming & Billman Funeral Directors and Crematory, 526 W. Prospect Rd. Ashtabula is honored to serve the Bernie Harwell family. Guest book, light a candle and obituary at fleming-billman.com.

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