John Aaron Bernsen

October 20, 1969 - July 19, 2026

John Aaron Bernsen died at the age of 56 at his home just outside of Castroville. Born in San Antonio to Bernard Allen "Bernie" Bernsen and Olivia Ann "OA" Hill Bernsen, John was baptized at the dining room table of their home on Fallen Leaf Lane, as the local Catholic Parish of St. Matthews was at that time just a baby itself. With no actual church built when John was born, the family attended Mass on folding chairs in the cafeteria of Ursuline High School.

The Bernsen family moved in 1976 to ninety-one acres in Medina County they called Someday. John attended Medina Valley schools and St. Louis Catholic Church. John learned piano and enjoyed playing all his life. He played the trumpet in MV bands, and was among a few students offered the opportunity to attend half-days of "High Tech High School," driving to San Antonio for a more robust STEM education than the rural school offered at the time. He twice performed in UIL one-act play competition in casts that included brother Jim and their good friend Kevin. John received an individual honorable mention award for his performance in A Midsummer Night's Dream.

After his high school graduation in 1988, John attended St. Mary's University in San Antonio. His studies included History, Geography, and Social Studies Secondary Education. He enjoyed St. Mary's Oyster Bake and Rattler basketball games, and played in the Rattler Band and jazz band. John studied classical guitar to complete a few elective credits, and honored his sister Chris by playing at her wedding. John completed his bachelor's degree in 1993.

John's full-time, life-long passion was music, especially metal and rock. When his older brother Ray picked up the guitar in the early 80s, John paid attention. Mostly self-taught, Ray, John, and Jim learned together. Extended Bernsen and Hill family Thanksgivings always included music, with John, Jim, Ray and cousins Tim and Terry on guitar, various elders and cousin Joey on piano, and the occasional blast of saxophones and trumpets. EVERYONE sang along.

Jam sessions with high school friends at the farm progressed to learning rock covers and creating original music. They created bands that were fun first, then good, then played actual gigs around Medina County and San Antonio. Ground Zero comprised John and friends Jordan and Jeff. Matter of Time included John, Jeff, Jordan, and Oscar. Evil Muppet Project...is undefinable. John also played lead or rhythm guitar for numerous other bands and projects in the nineties and beyond.

John spent much of his working life in retail positions in grocery and department stores. He became quite an expert in vitamins and natural remedies in one of his management roles and had sommelier-type wine training for another as wine buyer.

John enjoyed meaningful online community, from gaming to sharing his experiences and opinions on several fierce and supportive guitar forums. He co-founded the gaming clan Order Thru Chaos in 1999. Some of his OTC friends—Susan, Michael, and Kevin—became dear and trusted friends in real life.

Welcoming John to the other side are his parents Bernie and OA Bernsen and brother Ray Bernsen, grandparents Joe, Christine, Thomas, and Blanche, uncles Ralph, Tom, and Henry Louis, cousins Terry and Jake, and honorary grandfolks Effie Mae and Bennie.

Left to miss John and to celebrate his life are sister Christine Bernsen Bloemsma and her husband Charles, brother James Bernsen and his wife Stephanie, John's nieces and nephew Rebecca Bernsen, Abigail Bernsen, Sanne Bloemsma, and Diego Bernsen, his godmother Leona Bludau, aunts and uncles Mary, Martha, Mike, Patricia, Robert, Martin, and Annette, and cousins and friends too many to count.

The Holy Rosary will be recited at 9:40 a.m. followed by the Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, August 28, 2026 at St. Louis Catholic Church, Castroville, Texas. A private burial will follow at St. Luke Catholic Cemetery in Loire, alongside his parents and in company of his Hill ancestors.

We would love friends and family to remember John through music he loved—and the music he created.  You can find some of John's music on SoundCloud and YouTube. Fair warning, most is not suitable for the car pick-up line. Alternatively, you might enjoy some Queen, Van Halen, AC/DC, Pink Floyd, Rush, and some raging metal bands.

Arrangements by Tondre-Guinn Funeral Home, Castroville, Texas. www.tondre-guinn.com