Bernadine M. Meinders, 84, of Smithton, formerly of Peoria, passed away at 2:55 p.m. on Saturday, September 18, 2010, at Red Bud Regional Hospital in Red Bud, surrounded by her loving family.
She was born in Cerro Gordo, IA on August 15, 1926, a daughter of James W. and Katherine A. (Schwartz) Jones. She married Menno M. (Jack) Meinders on July 19, 1947. He preceded her in death on August 10, 1993. She was also preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Wesley and Manley Jones; sister, Sandra Weller; and a son, Danny Meinders, who passed away on August 9, 1982.
Bernadine was a dedicated and a tireless worker. She enjoyed her job of sixty-five years as a steam press operator at Biehl’s Cleaners, a Peoria family-owned business. She worked full-time up to the age of 82. Up until her last days, she continued her passion to work at home with her family.
Surviving are her daughter, Linda (Kenneth) Armstrong of Smithton; sons, Dennis (Carla) Meinders of Chillicothe, Lonnie (Jackie) Meinders of Dunlap, Michael (Debra) Meinders of Wyoming and Fred Meinders of Rome; grandchildren, Kenny (Liz) Armstrong, Kevin (Kara) Huber, Kris (Laura) Armstrong, Shannon (David) Armstrong-Koesterer, Mark Meinders, Amy (Rick) Hutchison, Shane (Michelle) Meinders, Ann (Anthony Covert) Meinders, Chad Meinders, Stacey (Kyle) Heinz, Allison Meinders, Nycole Meinders, Krista Meinders, Jason Meinders, Brandon Meinders; and twenty-three great-grandchildren.
Funeral services and interment, at Swan Lake Memory Gardens in Peoria, will be held privately for members of her family. Memorial contributions may be made in Bernadine’s memory to Hospice of Southern Illinois or Red Bud Hospice Room at Red Bud Regional Hospital.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Clary Funeral Home, 428 West McClure Avenue, in Peoria.
I worked with Bernie while I was in high school ( 13 yrs ago). I Always had so much respect for her and thought she was so funny!! I often think about my days at Biehl's and remember our talks at her pressing machine while she worked away and I slacked :)! She was an amazing person! My deepest sympathy to her family!
Mike, Debbie, Shane & Stacey,
You all are in our thoughts and prayers at the loss of Bernie. She was a sweet lady who truly loved her kids and grandkids. She was such a hard worker. I remember when you lived in Speer and Jack, Bernie, Tootie and Sylvia would come over to your house...talk about the laughter and joking that would happen. That is what family is about. Good times and good memories. Treasure those memories. R.I.P. Bernie.
My mom, Bernie's sister in law, tells me stories of when aunt Bernie & uncle Jack and my mom & dad all lived together when they all first got married. They all stayed together in a small house where Mt Hawley airport is now & how cold it was in the winter. Years later when the two of them got together they would relive the people they both grew to know over the years & how things have changed. It was like they were the only two present & reliving a special moment that only the two of them seen. And the laughs would come as aunt Bernie would remember something funny that the two of them shared.
My memory of aunt Bernie is as old as her baby sitting me to just a few years ago living down the street from her. She asked me if it would be ok if she came down & sat on my porch. She loved just sitting on the porch watching people or nature. One night the moon was very bright & I walked out on my porch to run something to my car & as I stepped out onto my porch, in the moon light, a figure was sitting in my lawn chair needless to say I screamed, she screamed, we both screamed. Then there was laughter. Oh how I will miss her laugh. She was very special & someone that will never be forgotten.
Dear Linda and Family,
Take hold of the memories you have made together and keep them close. Kristen M.
Linda,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time of sorrow.
Take Care.
Ann and Richard Niemann
