Bernice Marie Schmidt, 94, of Centralia, passed away Saturday, January 16, 2021 at her daughter’s home surrounded by her family. Bernice was a homemaker and worked for Washington School cafeteria for 10 years. Bernice was well known in the area for her masterful quilting and was a member of Mary’s Merry Quilters. Bernice was active in the St. Mary’s Parish and was a Treasurer of the Altar Society for 25 years. Bernice also belonged to the Red Hat Society. Bernice and her husband Bob built a successful Amway Pearl Direct business. Bernice was an Artistry Cosmetics Color Consultant in her home. Bernice will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held Privately on Friday, January 22, 2021 at 12:00 PM at St. Mary Catholic Church in Centralia with Monsignor David Darin and Father Steven Pautler officiating. Live Streaming of the Funeral can be accessed by going to the St. Mary Catholic Church Facebook Page. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Centralia. A Visitation will be held Friday morning from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM at St. Mary Catholic Church with 10 people allowed in the church at a time. Due to health concerns, masks must be worn and social distancing will be observed. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Mary School and will be accepted at the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home at 235 North Sycamore Street Centralia, Illinois 62801, (618)532-3523, who is honored to be of service to the Schmidt Family. Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.sutherlandfuneralhome.com and the Funeral Home’s Facebook Page.
Bernice is survived by three daughters: Susan Minor and husband Mike of Walnut Hill, Mary Jo May of St. Peters, MO, and Lisa Watson and husband Marty of Iuka; a son-in-law: Russ Fletcher of Leander, TX; seven grandchildren: Jennifer Foronato and husband Anthony of Leander, TX, Sarah Berger and husband Brett of Aviston, Amy Willems and husband Joe of Lake St. Louis, MO, Donnie May and wife Laura of St. Charles, MO, Derek May of St. Louis, MO, Jessica Koch and husband Jerry of Dix, and Stephanie Remer and husband Dave of Woodlawn; thirteen great-grandchildren: Romano and Benjamin Foronato of Leander, TX, Sophia and Madelyn Willems of Lake St. Louis, MO, Charlotte and Austin May of St. Charles, MO, Emylee Sanders and husband Jordan of Abilene, TX, Allyssa Doza of Dix, Jadehn Koch of Centralia, Jera Koch and daughter Meila of Carlyle, and Taylor, James and Kailee Remer all of Woodlawn; several nieces and nephews.
Bernice was born October 23, 1926, the daughter of Ben Isaak and Anna (Vandeloo) Schmidt. She married Robert “Smitty” E. Schmidt on August 6, 1949 and he preceded her in death on December 8, 2018. She was preceded in death by her parents, a daughter: Nancy Fletcher, a grandson: Michael Minor; three brothers: Raymond Isaak, Alphonse Isaak, and Walter Isaak; two sisters: Laura Carrigan, and Dorothy Haag.
