Bernice J. Blose
February 28, 2024 at 10:44 a.m.
It is with great sadness that we share the news that our mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and friend, Bernice J. Blose has been welcomed home to heaven on February 4th, 2024 at the age of 97. Bernice Jeanette Wolber was born on March 20, 1926, at the family farm in Springfield Township to Roy and Pearl Hart Wolber. Bernie resided for many years in Franklin County. She was a loving wife to the late Phil Blose for over 76 years. Dedicated mother to three daughters, Beverly (Ron) Johnson of Owensboro Ky., Barbara Leffingwell of San Marcos, Texas, and Penny (Tim) Lakoff of Richmond.
Beloved grandmother of 12, Kelli Leffingwell Bonacci (Tony), Anjie Leffingwell Frost (Michael), Corey Johnson (Ashley), Keeli Johnson John (Joseph), Jessica Lakoff Cannon (Jeremy), Ben Lakoff (Kate), and Pete Lakoff (Jenna).
Adored great-grandmother of 12, Trenton, (Reece) Leffingwell, Kate and Molly Frost, Arlo, Claudia and Sylvie Johnson, Jennings, Makenzie and Riley John, Indiana and Goldie Cannon.
Cherished sister-in-law to Max Blose of Texas, aunt, and great-aunt to many nieces, nephews, and cousins, and a wonderful friend to many.
Preceded in death by her husband Phil, her parents, four siblings and spouses, sister-in-law Sally Blose, son-in-law Hal Leffingwell and grandson Tony Leffingwell.
Bernie was born and raised on a farm in Franklin County. The youngest of five children born to Pearl and Roy Wolber. She was a proud graduate of Springfield High School and the very next day after graduating on April 20, 1944, she married the love of her life, her sailor, Philip D. Blose on April 21st at St. Thomas Lutheran Church. Phil preceded her in death on November 24th, 2020 after nearly 77 years of marriage. During WW2 she worked and lived in Connecticut to be near where Phil's ship the USS Thornhill (DE-195) would come to port so they could be together. When their first child was born, Phil was still at war so she and her dear sister Leona went home to the farm to have their babies and wait for their husbands, sailor Phil Blose and soldier Buford Drake to return home. Phil and Bernie set up housekeeping in Richmond but soon returned to Brookville where they were business owners, farmers, and involved, valued community members.
In 1970 they relocated to Richmond for Phil's career with the Federal Land Bank of Louisville. At that time, Bernie began her over 20-year successful career as a realtor with Otto Realty. Many of her clients became treasured friends and remained in touch with her for her entire life, giving her much joy.
Phil and Bernies' generous philanthropic efforts were many, but always remained quiet and “behind the scenes.” Bernie was an active member of First English Lutheran Church and St Thomas Lutheran Church. She was active in her sorority the Delta Theta Tau.
They loved to travel and visited many countries and they drove their motorcoach to many, many destinations including Alaska! They wintered in Texas and then Tavares Fla. for over 20 years and enjoyed their time and friends there immensely. They never knew a stranger and had friends near and far. Bernie was a voracious reader and visited every presidential library in the USA. She loved bingo and crossword puzzles, keeping her mind sharp until her passing.
A calling was held in Richmond at First English Lutheran Church Atrium on Sunday, February 11th with a service to follow. Burial Monday, February 12th at 10 am at Maple Grove Cemetery in Brookville, where she will be laid to rest next to her beloved Phil and her dear sisters and brothers-in-law, Leona and Buford Drake, Mary and Chester Bommer, Raymond Wolber and Paul and Helen Wolber.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Bernie or Phil to - Wounded Warriors Project https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org/default.aspx?tsid=10043&ovr_acv_id=5246, First English Lutheran Church of Richmond, IN or the American Legion Post #77 of Brookville Indiana - 1290 Fairfield Ave. Brookville, IN 47012.
Our family sincerely thanks the many wonderful folks at Friends Fellowship Community for their love and care for Bernie. Arrangements are being handled by Stegall Berheide Orr Funeral Home in Richmond. Online condolences may be sent to the family via the guest book at stegallberheideorr.com.
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It is with great sadness that we share the news that our mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and friend, Bernice J. Blose has been welcomed home to heaven on February 4th, 2024 at the age of 97. Bernice Jeanette Wolber was born on March 20, 1926, at the family farm in Springfield Township to Roy and Pearl Hart Wolber. Bernie resided for many years in Franklin County. She was a loving wife to the late Phil Blose for over 76 years. Dedicated mother to three daughters, Beverly (Ron) Johnson of Owensboro Ky., Barbara Leffingwell of San Marcos, Texas, and Penny (Tim) Lakoff of Richmond.
Beloved grandmother of 12, Kelli Leffingwell Bonacci (Tony), Anjie Leffingwell Frost (Michael), Corey Johnson (Ashley), Keeli Johnson John (Joseph), Jessica Lakoff Cannon (Jeremy), Ben Lakoff (Kate), and Pete Lakoff (Jenna).
Adored great-grandmother of 12, Trenton, (Reece) Leffingwell, Kate and Molly Frost, Arlo, Claudia and Sylvie Johnson, Jennings, Makenzie and Riley John, Indiana and Goldie Cannon.
Cherished sister-in-law to Max Blose of Texas, aunt, and great-aunt to many nieces, nephews, and cousins, and a wonderful friend to many.
Preceded in death by her husband Phil, her parents, four siblings and spouses, sister-in-law Sally Blose, son-in-law Hal Leffingwell and grandson Tony Leffingwell.
Bernie was born and raised on a farm in Franklin County. The youngest of five children born to Pearl and Roy Wolber. She was a proud graduate of Springfield High School and the very next day after graduating on April 20, 1944, she married the love of her life, her sailor, Philip D. Blose on April 21st at St. Thomas Lutheran Church. Phil preceded her in death on November 24th, 2020 after nearly 77 years of marriage. During WW2 she worked and lived in Connecticut to be near where Phil's ship the USS Thornhill (DE-195) would come to port so they could be together. When their first child was born, Phil was still at war so she and her dear sister Leona went home to the farm to have their babies and wait for their husbands, sailor Phil Blose and soldier Buford Drake to return home. Phil and Bernie set up housekeeping in Richmond but soon returned to Brookville where they were business owners, farmers, and involved, valued community members.
In 1970 they relocated to Richmond for Phil's career with the Federal Land Bank of Louisville. At that time, Bernie began her over 20-year successful career as a realtor with Otto Realty. Many of her clients became treasured friends and remained in touch with her for her entire life, giving her much joy.
Phil and Bernies' generous philanthropic efforts were many, but always remained quiet and “behind the scenes.” Bernie was an active member of First English Lutheran Church and St Thomas Lutheran Church. She was active in her sorority the Delta Theta Tau.
They loved to travel and visited many countries and they drove their motorcoach to many, many destinations including Alaska! They wintered in Texas and then Tavares Fla. for over 20 years and enjoyed their time and friends there immensely. They never knew a stranger and had friends near and far. Bernie was a voracious reader and visited every presidential library in the USA. She loved bingo and crossword puzzles, keeping her mind sharp until her passing.
A calling was held in Richmond at First English Lutheran Church Atrium on Sunday, February 11th with a service to follow. Burial Monday, February 12th at 10 am at Maple Grove Cemetery in Brookville, where she will be laid to rest next to her beloved Phil and her dear sisters and brothers-in-law, Leona and Buford Drake, Mary and Chester Bommer, Raymond Wolber and Paul and Helen Wolber.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Bernie or Phil to - Wounded Warriors Project https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org/default.aspx?tsid=10043&ovr_acv_id=5246, First English Lutheran Church of Richmond, IN or the American Legion Post #77 of Brookville Indiana - 1290 Fairfield Ave. Brookville, IN 47012.
Our family sincerely thanks the many wonderful folks at Friends Fellowship Community for their love and care for Bernie. Arrangements are being handled by Stegall Berheide Orr Funeral Home in Richmond. Online condolences may be sent to the family via the guest book at stegallberheideorr.com.
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