Virginia Bernard Indiana, Pennsylvania Obituary

Virginia Bernard

Virginia (Williams) Bernard, 85, beloved wife, mother, sister and friend, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, November 12, 2016. The daughter of the late Luther S. and Dortha (Heberling) Williams, she was born and raised in White Township, Indiana County. She grew up second daughter on a turkey farm. She worked in an ice cream store that was frequented by Jimmy Stewart when he returned to town from time-to-time. Virginia’s aunts said that she would never marry or have children and yet, on Dec 27, 1951, she married James L. Bernard. Virginia and James raised 5 daughters. Virginia was very supportive of all her daughters wanted to do and always encouraged them to pursue their dreams. Her greatest joy in life was her family. In 1968, after the birth of their two youngest daughters, Virginia went to work part time at Brody’s Department store. She was one of only a few mothers in her neighborhood who worked outside of the home. She also worked for the water authority. Virginia loved to bake and cook and her many quilts won prizes. Virginia learned to bake from her mother and learned to cook from her mother-in-law. Virginia loved to quilt and handmade a quilt for each of her daughters. She also crocheted an afghan for each daughter. Virginia was a friend to all who met her. She and Jim loved to camp and to travel. They traveled through Alaska twice and took 4 of their 6 grandchildren with them in the 90’s. They would travel to Parker Dam every year to see the elk. She was a member of the Church of the Good Shepherd Catholic Church, Kent, where she helped with spaghetti and pierogi dinners. She also taught catechism classes. Virginia is survived by her husband of 64 years, James, who resides at home and by her children: Marguerite “Margi” Rice and husband Thomas Rice, Jr., of Billings, MT; Kathleen “Kathy” Ressler and husband Jeffrey, of Petersburg, PA; Roberta “Robin” Gordon and husband Brian, of Medina, OH; Annette Bernard, of Indiana; and Bernadette Sheaffer and husband Thomas, of Akron, PA. Her sister, Helen Bush (Gene), of Indiana also survives her. In addition, she is survived by 8 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren and another 2 on the way. Virginia instilled a love for others in each of her daughters and her legacy lives on in her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents. Friends will be received on Wednesday, November 16th from 5-7PM at the Rairigh-Bence Funeral Home of Indiana. A second visitation will be held November 17th from 10-11AM at Church of the Good Shepherd, Kent. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, November 17th at 11AM, Father William Lechnar, celebrant. Entombment will follow at St. Bernard Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Catholic Charities of Greensburg Diocese 711 E Pittsburgh St, Greensburg, PA 15601
August 3, 1931 - November 12, 201608/03/193111/12/2016
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Obituary

Virginia (Williams) Bernard, 85, beloved wife, mother, sister and friend, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, November 12, 2016. The daughter of the late Luther S. and Dortha (Heberling) Williams, she was born and raised in White Township, Indiana County. She grew up second daughter on a turkey farm. She worked in an ice cream store that was frequented by Jimmy Stewart when he returned to town from time-to-time. Virginia’s aunts said that she would never marry or have children and yet, on Dec 27, 1951, she married James L. Bernard. Virginia and James raised 5 daughters. Virginia was very supportive of all her daughters wanted to do and always encouraged them to pursue their dreams. Her greatest joy in life was her family. In 1968, after the birth of their two youngest daughters, Virginia went to work part time at Brody’s Department store. She was one of only a few mothers in her neighborhood who worked outside of the home. She also worked for the water authority. Virginia loved to bake and cook and her many quilts won prizes. Virginia learned to bake from her mother and learned to cook from her mother-in-law. Virginia loved to quilt and handmade a quilt for each of her daughters. She also crocheted an afghan for each daughter. Virginia was a friend to all who met her. She and Jim loved to camp and to travel. They traveled through Alaska twice and took 4 of their 6 grandchildren with them in the 90’s. They would travel to Parker Dam every year to see the elk. She was a member of the Church of the Good Shepherd Catholic Church, Kent, where she helped with spaghetti and pierogi dinners. She also taught catechism classes. Virginia is survived by her husband of 64 years, James, who resides at home and by her children: Marguerite “Margi” Rice and husband Thomas Rice, Jr., of Billings, MT; Kathleen “Kathy” Ressler and husband Jeffrey, of Petersburg, PA; Roberta “Robin” Gordon and husband Brian, of Medina, OH; Annette Bernard, of Indiana; and Bernadette Sheaffer and husband Thomas, of Akron, PA. Her sister, Helen Bush (Gene), of Indiana also survives her. In addition, she is survived by 8 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren and another 2 on the way. Virginia instilled a love for others in each of her daughters and her legacy lives on in her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents. Friends will be received on Wednesday, November 16th from 5-7PM at the Rairigh-Bence Funeral Home of Indiana. A second visitation will be held November 17th from 10-11AM at Church of the Good Shepherd, Kent. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, November 17th at 11AM, Father William Lechnar, celebrant. Entombment will follow at St. Bernard Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Catholic Charities of Greensburg Diocese 711 E Pittsburgh St, Greensburg, PA 15601

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Events

Nov
16
First Visitation
Wednesday, November 16 2016
05:00 PM - 07:00 PM
Rairigh-Bence Funeral Home, Inc., of Indiana
965 Philadelphia St.
INDIANA, PA 15701
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Nov
17
Second Visitation
Thursday, November 17 2016
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Church of the Good Shepherd
100 Good Shepherd Drive
KENT, PA 15752
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Nov
17
Service
Thursday, November 17 2016
11:00 AM
Church of the Good Shepherd
100 Good Shepherd Drive
KENT, PA 15752
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