Eric Wayne Bernat, 46, of Montgomery City, MO, died on Friday, December 2, 2016 at his home.

Funeral services were held at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, December 10, 2016 at the First United Methodist Presbyterian Church. Visitation was held from 8:30 AM until the time of service on Saturday at the Church. Interment was in the Montgomery City Cemetery. The Reverend Ed Hankinson and the Reverend Darrel Deeker officiated.

Eric was born on August 1, 1970 in Columbia, Missouri to Otto and Phyllis Bernat. Eric was raised and lived in Montgomery City all of his life. He was the owner of Bernat Enterprises and A+ Payday Loans. He was an avid classic car collector and dealer. He enjoyed going to auctions and finding every deal possible. He was a well-known member of the community and enjoyed meeting and talking with everyone who crossed his path. In his spare time he enjoyed working, fishing, and spending time with his family and friends. He also loved animals and had many different animals throughout his life, including his hairless sphinx cat Lulu.

Eric married his wife, Billie, on October 10, 2009. They resided in Montgomery City for majority of their marriage, but in the last year they moved to rural Montgomery. The property they lived on was property that Eric owned for years and built and worked.

Eric was survived by many family members and friends. His wife Billie Bernat, children: Heather Schmidt, and husband Ben, Rodney Bernat, Dustin Kirkpatrick, Raven and Zoe Grennan, Megan Kaempfe, and husband Lance, Destiny Millon, and Dillon Kirkpatrick. He was also survived by two grandchildren: Airiann and Cypress. Also surviving are his mother, Phyllis Bernat and sister Christina Ford. Eric was also survived by many other nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Otto Bernat and grandmother Marie Meaders.

Serving as casketbearers were: Adam Brittingham, Jackie Brower, Darren Schmidt, Darren Brookman, M.K. John, Allen Muterts, and Todd Hemeyer. Interment was in the Montgomery City Cemetery.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the First United Methodist Presbyterian Church, Montgomery City Animal Shelter, and the Arthur Center. C/O Schlanker Funeral Home, 207 Danville Road, Montgomery City, MO 63361.