Bernard C. Vigna Jr. “Barney” age 91, of Gardner, IL, passed away Sunday, August 2, 2026, at the Illinois Veterans’ Home in Manteno, IL.
Born July 31, 1935, in Mazon, IL, Barney was the son of Bernard C. Sr. and Violet (née Styber) Vigna.
Barney graduated from Gardner-South Wilmington High School in 1953, where he was a three-sport athlete. He proudly served his country in the United States Army. On November 30, 1957, he married the love of his life, Lois Sandeno. They shared nearly 62 years of marriage before Lois passed away on November 14, 2019.
A hardworking man through and through, Barney spent 40 years as a truck driver with Fatlan Trucking while also farming. He took great pride in his work and was never one to sit still. He enjoyed meeting friends for coffee and conversation at Dibble Trucking. Barney was always happy to share the fruits of his labor, especially by delivering sweet corn to friends and neighbors each summer on his golf cart.
A devoted St. Louis Cardinals fan, Barney also looked forward to preparing the family farm for Vigna Family Reunions. Some of his greatest joy came from attending his grandchildren’s events and activities and, in recent years, spending time with his great-grandchildren.
Barney was a faithful member of United Lutheran Church in Gardner.
He is survived by his two sons, Dean (Melissa) Vigna of Coal City, IL, and Dale (Pam) Vigna of Dwight, IL; three grandchildren, Brianna (Chris) Schreiner, Cal (Quinn) Vigna, and Allison (Justin) Anderson; six great-grandchildren, Logan Schreiner, Brooklyn Schreiner, Camden Schreiner, Payton Anderson, Cole Anderson, and Kolt Vigna; his siblings, Pat Hallock of Dwight, Joanne Sorensen of Champaign, IL, and Mike (Laura) Vigna of Dwight; numerous nieces and nephews; and special family friends, John and Renee Hollmeyer.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Lois Vigna; his parents, Bernard C. Sr. and Violet Vigna; and one sister, Ramona Storm.
His family finds comfort in imagining that “He is probably up there in heaven arguing over who will buy the donuts for the Dibble Coffee Club with his good friend Lou Naretto.”
Visitation will be held Thursday, August 6, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. until the time of funeral service at 11:00 a.m. at United Lutheran Church, 309 E. Jefferson St., Gardner, IL. Interment will immediately follow at Gardner Prairie Cemetery in Gardner, IL.
Memorial donations may be made to United Lutheran Church in Gardner or Gardner Prairie Cemetery.
R.W. Patterson Funeral Homes & Crematory, 401 E. Main St., Braidwood, 815-458-2336
www.rwpattersonfuneralhomes.com
