Bernard Julius Archer, 96, funeral director

Bernard Julius Archer, 96, a funeral director formerly of Philadelphia, died Monday, May 11, of causes related to aging at a nursing care facility in Annapolis, Md.

He had moved to Maryland to be near family.

Born in Philadelphia, Mr. Archer received a diploma from Central High School. After graduating from the Eckels College of Mortuary Science, he became a licensed funeral director in January 1941, achieving the highest mark on the Pennsylvania funeral director's examination among those then tested, his family said.

Mr. Archer was supervising mortician at the John C. McKain Funeral Home in North Philadelphia for 33 years before acquiring his own business, the Bernard J. Archer Funeral Home on West Lehigh Avenue. He ran the business until he was 95.

At age 94, he was recognized as the oldest practicing mortician in Pennsylvania. Mr. Archer was a member of the National, Pennsylvania, and Quaker City Funeral Director Associations.

Earlier in his work life, he had been employed at the U.S. Veterans Administration, and he rode the trains between Philadelphia, Norfolk, Va., New York, and Pittsburgh as a U.S. railway mail clerk.

A man of strong Christian faith, Mr. Archer was a former member of Lombard Central Presbyterian Church and had attended Morris Chapel Baptist Church since 1983. He was a life-long member of the Mount Olive Holy Temple. All are in Philadelphia.

Still spry at 86, he led the conga line at a family wedding, and at 90 he could still do push-ups.

He had a hearty laugh, loved gadgets, and was full of information. "He knew a little bit about everything," said his daughter, Jyl Antonia Archer Dupont.

Besides his daughter, he is survived by four grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. His wife, Elizabeth "Betty" Gilliam, and former wife, Patricia Keiser Merriweather, died earlier.

A celebration of life was held May 17.

Contributions may be made to the Pennsylvania SPCA through www.pspca.org.

610-313-8102