Service for Kelso man who died at Nippon highlights other fallen workers too

The funeral for one of the fallen workers of last week's Nippon tank failure filled the Journey Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Kelso on Sunday.

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"(It) was a reflection of the lives my father touched," said Gilbert Bernal's daughter, Geovana, about the turnout.

The mood was somber at the Lexington church, as family, coworkers and the community cried, prayed and shared memories of the 52-year-old Kelso man.

Gilbert was one of 11 people who died from the May 26 tank failure that spilled an estimated 500,000 gallons of a caustic chemical used in papermaking at the Longview pulp and paper mill.

During the service, pastor Jim John read the names and ages of the victims and held a moment of silence. After each name was read, those who knew the victims stood.

He said the victims treated at the hospital had a pattern of chemical exposure injuries consistent with them helping other coworkers get to safety.

John asked if any members of the audience would like to share a memory of Gilbert.

One of those was Crystal Wilson, the wife of 48-year-old Robert Wilson, who was one of the workers killed by the tank rupture.

She shared that Gilbert played matchmaker for her and her husband, as the workers were friends.

"He was a wonderful man," Crystal said. "I don't believe they're gone forever. They're in the presence of Christ."

Gilbert Bernal with his children

Eli Bernal, 26, of Kelso, (left) Geovana Bernal, 31, of Spokane, and Gilbert Bernal, 52, of Kelso.

'Anyone could count on'

Gilbert's children eulogized their father as a hardworking, faithful believer in God and the Seattle Seahawks.

Gilbert was the third of eight children when he was born, Geovana, 31, of Spokane, said. Her grandmother thought he was so beautiful that the hospital gave her the wrong baby, she added as a joke.

"He was a person anyone could count on; he was truly one of a kind," she said.

His son, Eli Bernal, also worked at the paper mill as a contracter. He said he saw his dad at Nippon just before the fatal incident.

Gilbert Bernal

Gilbert Bernal, 52, of Kelso was one of victims of the tank failure at Nippon Dynawave Packaging on May 26.

The 26-year-old from Kelso expressed gratitude for the community's hospitality during the service. He said the support reflected his father's impact on others.

"(He was a) man whose heart was on fire for god," he said. "Who just didn't preach it, he lived it every day."

Geovana sang with Duane Nelson to the song "I Can Only Imagine" by Christian rock band MercyMe.

Photos of Gilbert were on display on stands near the steps to the main stage, with no casket at the service.

Outside the main room, were pictures of the other fallen Nippon workers and flameless candles were placed on a desk before attendees entered the main room. Those who attended could leave a note for each victim.

Supplying the light

Pastor Dan Hughes opened the celebration of life event by recognizing the emotional enormity of the past few days.

"This is a tough time for the Bernal family, for our church," he said. "It's a tough time for our whole community."

Hughes described him as a quiet man who "supplied the light," not only physically to the church but spiritually to the community.

Gilbert Bernal

Gilbert Bernal, 52, of Kelso.

John shared a similar story. Once, Gilbert asked John if he was aware that the lights in the church's parking lot were out.

Weeks later, John asked Gilbert when he would start working on the lights, but he had already finished replacing the 25 bulbs.

"He had got a scissor lift, he had purchased the correct bulbs, he had organized a crew, and he had replaced them," John said.

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This story was originally published June 1, 2026 at 12:40 PM.