Bernice Evelyn Mckerlie

Bernice McKerlie, age 93, passed away on August 4, 2011 at the Baptist Home in Chillicothe, Missouri. She was a former resident of Northern Carroll County. Bernice was born on November 18, 1917, in Carroll County, Missouri, daughter of Luther A. Auwarter and Naomi Earp Auwarter. She attended Cream Ridge and Wooden Schools in Carroll County, and Kincaid School in Livingston County. She graduated from Chillicothe High School May 17, 1935. On January 21, 1940, Bernice married John Junior McKerlie, the son of John and Cora Dawson McKerlie in Chillicothe, Missouri. They celebrated their 50th anniversary January 21, 1990. Of this marriage four children were born: Ray Allen, Evelyn Marie, Barbara Ann, and Dicky Dee. She was a loving, kind and devoted wife and mother. Bernice loved the farm life and all that went with it. She grew a large garden and was very generous with her produce, giving to anyone that wanted something. She canned and froze whatever was left. She enjoyed cooking, and trying lots of new recipes. She also enjoyed sewing, and patching anything that had a hole. She was an active member of many churches. On April 25, 1976, she was baptized into the Coloma Baptist Church. Bernice became an Eastern Star member April 7, 1965, and attended faithfully until her health would not allow her. Bernice is survived by two sisters and brothers-in-law, Mildred Sue and Bill Clary, Elwood, Kansas, and Joan and Jim Huber, of St. Joseph, Missouri; two daughters and son-in-law Evelyn Marie and Larry Kerby, of Bogard, Missouri, and Barbara Ann Cowan, of Braymer, Missouri; one son and daughter-in-law Dicky Dee and Debbie McKerlie, of Dawn, Missouri; daughter-in-law Judy McKerlie, of Independence, Missouri; six grandchildren Jeff and Scott McKerlie, LeAnn Pyatt, Chad Snider, Christal Villaseca, and Kevin McKerlie: four step grandchildren, Connie Fuson, Teresa Mayberry, Julie Gorham and Sherri Passiglia. She also leaves 10 great grandchildren, 12 step great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephew. She is preceded in death by husband, Junior on November 27, 1991, and Ray Allen McKerlie on June 4, 2002, son-in-law Bruce Cowan on April 25, 2011, granddaughters Autumn Renae McKerlie on November 7, 1983, LeRae Marie Kerby, on July 5, 1981, great grandson Thomas Marie Pyatt on July 12, 2008, Austin Dale Anderson on June 28, 2000, two brothers William DeVeal Auwarter and Donald Auwarter, and one sister Doris Darlene Wilson, two brother-in-laws Oda and Earl McKerlie and five sister-in-laws Nellie Kimber, Bessie Kimber, Lena Adams, Louese McKerlie, and Leona Lowery. A funeral service will be held at Coloma Baptist Church, Bogard, Missouri, on Monday, August 8, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. A family visitation is scheduled on August 8, 2011, 10:00 a.m. at Coloma Baptist Church. Friends may call on Sunday, August 7, 2011 from 12:00 noon to 9:00 p.m. at Lindley Funeral Home, Chillicothe. Burial is at Coloma Cemetery, Bogard, Missouri. Memorial contributions may be made to The Baptist Home, Chillicothe, Missouri and may be left at Lindley Funeral Home or mailed to P.O. Box 47, Chillicothe, Missouri. On line condolences may be left at www.lindleyfuneralhome.com Arrangements are under the direction of the Lindley Funeral Home, Chillicothe, Missouri.