Lail  "Cotton" Bernard, 87, died Wednesday, Dec. 12,  at the MO Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau.  He was born September 15, 1931 in Oran to the late Lacey and Idus (Edwards) Bernard.  He had resided in Gale, Illinois, in Cape Girardeau from 1964-1985, in Sikeston from 1985-2009 and had been a resident of the MO Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau since 2009.  He had been a construction supervisor for Storey's Grocery Chain and was a veteran of the U.S. Army during the Korean War;  he was the recipient of a Bronze Star and 2 Purple Hearts.  In September, 2018 he participated in the Honor Tour of Washington D.C. with both of his children.  He was a member of the Elks Lodge, Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion and attended church services at the Veterans Home Chapel.  He was married in 1955 to Mary Estes in Oran and they had two children, Lacey & Patti (Eaker) Bernard of St. Charles and Wendy Nenninger of Jackson.  Also surviving are 5 grandchildren:  Holly Tucker of Cape Girardeau, Jenna Smith of Jackson, Austin Nenninger of Cape Girardeau, Libby Bernard of Sikeston and Evan Bernard of St. Charles.  3 sisters, Barbara Venable of Scott City, Zexia Sietman of Oran and Etber LeGrand of St. Louis also survive.  He was preceded in death by several brothers and sisters.  A memorial service will be held Saturday, Dec.. 22 from 3:00 pm until 5:00 pm at Ford & Sons Mt. Auburn Chapel in Cape Girardeau with a Eulogy at 5:00 pm.  The family will have a private graveside memorial service Friday, Dec. 28 with full military honors at the MO State Veterans Cemetery at Bloomfield.  The family also requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made  in his name  to The Avenue of Flags  Post 3838  1049 N. Kingshighway  Cape Girardeau, MO  63701  Attn. AOF  Online condolences may be shared with the family at blanchardfuneral.com.