Reverend Bernard L. Tyler was born on August 31, 1934, and died April 28, 2026, at the age of 91. He was born to Nelson S. Tyler and Katherine (née Thomas) Tyler in Flint, Michigan, the fourth of eight children. He was ordained a priest for the Augustinian Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel Friars on June 7, 1961, by the Most Reverend Raymond Hillinger, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Chicago.
Fr. Tyler’s first assignments were in parishes of the Augustinian community both in Chicago and in Flint. From 1968 to 1971, Fr. Tyler served as a seminary formator in Holland, Michigan, where Robert Francis Prevost (now Pope Leo XIV) was one of his students. Fr. Tyler served as Chaplain to the Deaf and Hearing-Impaired Community in the Archdiocese of Chicago from 1971–1978, and then at several parishes and Augustinian apostolates from Missouri to Oklahoma.
In 1994, Fr. Tyler was incardinated into the Diocese of Lansing. Over many years, he served in several parishes in the Diocese of Lansing and upon entering Senior Priest status in 2001, Fr. Tyler spent many years serving parishes throughout the Diocese of Gaylord.
Funeral Mass will be held at 11am Monday, May 4, 2026 at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, 1227 East Bristol Road, Burton. Most Reverend Earl Boyea officiating.
Visitation will be held from 12-8 pm Sunday, May 3, 2026, at Swartz Funeral Home, 1225 West Hill Road, Flint, and 10 am Monday, May 4, until the time of the Mass.
Fr. Tyler will be entombed at New Calvary Catholic Cemetery.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon him. May the soul of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
