Mary Jane Bernhardt

Mary Jane Bernhardt, a devoted and selfless wife, mother, grandmother, teacher and mentor to so many, passed away on February 21, 2026, at the age of 79. Born on October 5, 1946, in Evansville, Indiana, to the late Arthur E. and Rita A. (Mendenhall) Mengon, she spent her entire life in southwestern Indiana, first in Evansville, briefly in Buckskin and, for the past 51 years, in Elberfeld.

Janie graduated from North High School in 1964, earning a Bachelor of Science in Education from Evansville College in 1968 and a master’s degree from the University of Evansville. While in college, she joined the Alpha Omicron Pi National Sorority, Chi Lambda chapter and stayed active supporting the local and national organization, holding several offices over the years.

After graduation, Janie returned to North High School, where she spent the next 49 years teaching math and serving the students she loved in so many ways. In her first year, she was approached by some students to found a dance team, the Huskettes, a role that quickly expanded to the color guard sponsor and Assistant Band Director for the North Green Brigade marching band. Her support of the performing arts also included the choir, musicals and plays: selling tickets, gathering props and sewing costumes. She spent her vacation time chaperoning field trips all over the country, affording students unique opportunities to visit and perform from New York to Hawaii and everywhere in between.

When she retired in 2017, the mayor of Evansville declared the day as “Jane Bernhardt Day,” but retirement did not slow her down. She redoubled her efforts supporting North, most notably organizing the Band Invitational into a well-oiled machine. Janie’s passion for the classroom never dimmed, and she filled her days with short- and long-term substitute teaching roles, tutoring students online and teaching math classes as a professor at Oakland City University. She fully embraced every class and every school she served, earning the trust of educators all over the region. Requests poured in, and she rarely declined to help.

Janie’s dedication to the Evansville area extended beyond school walls. She was a lifetime, active member of First Presbyterian Church, singing in the church choir, serving terms as both an Elder and a Deacon, participating in the flute and handbell choirs and teaching Sunday School. She also shared her talents with the EVSC/PEF summer musicals. Janie enjoyed boating and swimming on the Ohio River and Lake Barkley with her husband and family. She traveled all over the country, visiting all fifty states. She particularly enjoyed finding hidden gems that were “off the beaten path.” She and her husband met at Evansville College where they both played the flute, and they continued playing together at First Pres and with the Old Dam Community Band in Newburgh.

Janie is survived by her loving husband of 54 years, Richard Bernhardt, son, Dr. Rick Bernhardt and his wife, Carrie, as well as her grandchildren, Arthur and Elizabeth Bernhardt. She is also survived by her sibling, Emily Mengon.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at First Presbyterian Church, 609 SE 2nd St, Evansville, IN 47713, officiated by Rev. M.B. McCandless. Burial will follow at Alexander Memorial Park.

Visitation will be held from 3:00 pm until 7:00 pm on Friday, February 27, 2026, at Alexander Funeral Home-North Chapel, 4200 Stringtown Road, Evansville, IN 47711. Additional visitation will take place from 9:00 am until 10:45 am on Saturday, February 29 at First Presbyterian Church.

Memorial contributions may be sent to the EVSC Foundation, earmarked to the Mary Jane Bernhardt Scholarship Fund, which is dedicated to recognizing and supporting outstanding mathematics students at North High School.

Condolences may be made online at www.AlexanderNorthChapel.com.