Friends rally to help ex-Marine
Fundraiser planned to help him cover mortgage bills

By ERIC TIMMONS
GateHouse News Service
Posted Sep 17, 2008 @ 09:43 AM

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GALESBURG —
A former Marine and ex-Maytag employee who has contracted Lou Gehrig’s disease could lose his home and is struggling to pay for gas to get to the hospital, according to friends who are organizing a benefit to help.

Carl Bernhart, 44, lives on the north edge of Altona. He was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease Aug. 11, and his health has deteriorated rapidly since then.

Bernhart gave up his construction job after being diagnosed, and his wife, Lorie, also quit her job in a local motel to care for her husband full time.

Now the couple is worried they will lose their home, because they can’t keep up with mortgage and utility bills on Bernhart’s benefit check of just $600 a month.

Friends are organizing a fundraiser Sept. 27 for the former Marine, who has two children.

Nancy Stephens, an Altona woman who is helping to organize the benefit, said doctors have given Bernhart just a year and a half to live. But she is hopeful he will be around much longer.

Bernhart’s medical bills are being covered by the VA, and he is receiving treatment at the veterans’ hospital in Iowa City.

But Stephens said the family is struggling to pay for the gas needed to drive him to the hospital.
Some relief will come in December, when Bernhart’s Social Security check will rise to just under $1,200 a month.

But, even after his benefits increase, he will still need help to cover bills, Stephens said.

Lou Gehrig’s disease damages motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord. Over time, the disease can lead to paralysis.

The benefit for Bernhart will be from 2 to 6 p.m. Sept. 27 on Jake Willison’s farm. The farm is on the northern edge of Altona on U.S. 34, close to the Bernhart’s house.

There will be a hog roast and an auction at the benefit. Bernhart is an artist in his spare time, and some of his work, and work by other artist friends, will be on sale.

For more information on the event, call Nancy at (309) 289-4218 or Amanda at (309) 484-2017.




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