Armando R. “Army” Velasco

Armando R. “Army” Velasco, 88, of Berne, Indiana passed away early Friday morning, September 15, 2023, at Swiss Village in Berne, Indiana.

He was born on June 29, 1935, in Houston, Texas to the late John Velasco and the late Geneva (Urias) Velasco. Army was united in marriage to Louise Jane Schwartz on June 24, 1958, in Decatur at the First United Methodist and she survives

Army was honorably discharged member of the Indiana Air National Guard, having served in the 1950’s.

He was a member of the First Mennonite Church in Berne, the American Legion Post #468 in Berne, and the Indiana Fire Chiefs Association.

Army was employed at Micro Precision now known as Micromatic in Berne, Indiana where he retired after 40 years of employment. He later began working at Yager-Kirchhofer Funeral Home, now the Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home, and greatly enjoyed the opportunity to greet people and help them in many of the same ways he helped the Berne community by being involved with the Fire Department.  What Army was most known for in the Berne Community was serving on the Berne Fire Department where he served on the fire team then rose through the ranks and achieved the commission of fire chief.  He truly enjoyed his volunteer participation, especially working with Mayor Blaine Fulton.  In all, Army spent 40 years as a volunteer with the Berne Fire Department in his capacity as both a team member and as Chief.

Army loved his family dearly, he was very proud of all of them and their accomplishments. He enjoyed traveling and one adventure that was very near and dear to him was traveling in 2018 to Italy and Switzerland with family.   The city of Berne recognized both Army and Jane in 2023 by naming them the Chamber of Commerce Citizen(s) of the year to acknowledge their dedication to the Berne Community.  Army also was very fond of playing golf and enjoyed the game throughout his life.  So, it was not coincidental that following his retirement he worked at the Cross Creek Golf Course in Decatur on a part-time basis and played at the Wabash Valley Golf Club in Geneva.

Survivors include his wife of 65 years, Jane Velasco of Berne, Indiana; two sons, Kirk Velasco of Destin, Florida and Kyle (Tammy) Velasco of Parker Colorado; son-in-law, Mark Tomlin of Indianapolis, Indiana; five sisters, Alice (Rudy) Cortez of Bryan, Texas, Idalia (Paul) Edwards of Phoenix, Arizona, Sylvia Velasco of Chesapeake, Virginia, Lydia (Myron) Wacker of Fremont, Wisconsin, and Geneva Trejo of Wichita Falls, Texas; sister-in-law, Susie Velasco of Los Angeles, California; four grandsons,  Ryan (Brittnee) Tomlin, Grant (Kiersten) Tomlin, Daniel Velasco, and Andrew Velasco; and one great-grandchild,  Charles Armando Tomlin

Army was preceded in death by daughter, Kim Christine Velasco Tomlin on December 13, 2022; sisters, Rachel Kuncewiez, Elida Castro, and Elda Ortiz; and brothers, John, Ruben, and David Velasco.

Funeral services for Army will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, September 20, 2023, at the First Mennonite Church, Berne with Pastor Jim Schwartz and Pastor Jeff Linthicum officiating. Burial will follow in the Mazelin Cemetery, Berne.

Friends and family will be received from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, September 19, 2023 at the Swiss Village Chapel.  Additional visitation will be held from 3-5 and 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, September 19, 2023, at the Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home, Yager – Kirchhofer Chapel in Berne.  On Wednesday, September 20, 2023, visitation will also be held from 9:15 a.m. until 10:15 a.m. at the church.

Preferred memorials can be given to Swiss Heritage Society; Berne Fire Department.

Arrangements by Zwick and Jahn Funeral Homes, Yager-Kirchhofer Chapel of Berne, Indiana