Bernice Tolliver

Bernice “Budge” Tolliver, 87, of Circleville, passed away peacefully at Heartland of Centerville, Ohio on the 30th day of November 2009 with her loving family by her side.

Beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, she was born March 30, 1922 in Pickaway County, Circleville, Ohio to the late Bernard Samuel Bailey and Mary Elizabeth Smallwood.

Bernice married her beloved husband, George William Tolliver on July 9, 1945 in Ironton, Ohio. They spent the next 16 years of their lives together until the time of Mr. Tolliver’s death on January 20, 1960 in Chillicothe, Ohio. They were the proud parents of five children.

She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; brother, Joseph Bailey; sister, Betty Ferguson; half-brother, Thomas Brown; sister-in-law, Betty (Watson) Bailey and daughter in law, Deborah K. (Farmer) Tolliver.

Survived to cherish her memory are her five children; sons Garry William (Patsy) Tolliver of Dayton, Ohio and Larry Gilbert (Sieglinde) Tolliver of Circleville, Ohio and daughters; Lou Lynn Martin, Mary Jane Olney and Sharon Belle (Jerry) Greiner all of Circleville and nine grandchildren; Gina Atchison of Bellbrook, Ohio, George William Tolliver II of Centerville, Ohio, Chris (Carrie) Tolliver of Watertown, Wisconsin, Stacy (Joe) Mullins of Grove City, Ohio, Tina Wolfe (fiancée Brent Hayes) Wolfe, Lori (Joe) Kluczynski, Lisa (Eddie) Sims, Amy Williams, Bret Greiner (fiancée Jamie Johnson) all of Circleville, Ohio. Eleven great-grandchildren; Caden James Tolliver, Cody Brent, Mallory Royster, Jonah and Gracie Atchison, Madelyn and Erika Kluczynski, Logan and Ethan Wolfe, Amanda Wasmus and Joel Williams. Three sisters; Nancy (Keith) Reeves, Clara Belle (Paul) Dye and Mable Swackhammer, all of Circleville, Ohio. Two brothers; James (Jane) Bailey and John (Linda) Bailey of Circleville, Ohio and many nieces and nephews.

In 1937, at the young age of 15, Bernice attempted her first employment with Esmeralda Canning Factory, canning corn and tomatoes that were brought in and delivered from the local farmers in Circleville, Ohio. Due to her young age, her grandfather made her quit for fear of being injured. A few years, in 1939, WW2 broke out and she fulfilled her patriotic duty to her country as a proud American and was once again employed at an ammunition factory in Chillicothe, Ohio producing bullets that were to be sent to the soldiers in the war. After her marriage in 1945, she dedicated her entire life to raising her five children.

She was a true and loyal fan to her favorite baseball team, the Chicago Cubs. She loved to play bingo and cards, always had a smile and was always humming one of her favorite songs- “Yes Sir, That’s My Baby”. She was witty, funny, loved a good joke and a good laugh and had the most beautiful blue eyes. But you could find the real person that she was when she was working her magic in the kitchen. She was notorious for her superb but yet simple cooking skills and the aromas that filled her home came from the many recipes of love for her family. She was an accomplished cook at everything she made but she will always be remembered for her homemade noodles, potato salad and apple cakes. We will honor her achievement of being the “World’s Greatest Mother”, treasure the thought that she loved unconditionally, and will cherish the moments and times we all shared with her.

Bernice lived a life of faithful devotion to her children and her family. Not only was she a loyal wife, mother, sister, grandmother and great-grandmother, she was also our teacher and always our friend. Her generosity, kind heart and gentle spirit were an inspiration to her family and to everyone she knew. She was a positive force in the lives of all her children and to everyone whom she touched. She was a strong and proud woman of the “greatest generation” and she has left a remarkable legacy with her passing, but her greatest contribution will be the ones she leaves behind. She will be sadly missed by her children, family and all who knew her. We ask for God’s guidance and protection for Bernice as she continues her journey.

A praise and celebration of her life will take place at 1:00 pm on Thursday, December 3, 2009 at Defenbaugh-Wise-Schoedinger Funeral Home with Pastor Larry Ault, Chaplain Hal Ward and Chaplain Mark Meyers officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home, Thursday, December 3, 2009 from 11:00 am until the time of the service. Interment will follow in Forest Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Acclaim Hospice, 7887 Washington Village Drive, Suite 350, Dayton, Ohio 45459 or to Alzheimer’s Association, Central Ohio Chapter, 3380 Tremont Road, Columbus, Ohio 43221 or to your favorite charity. You may visit www.schoedinger.com to send your favorite memory of Bernice.

The family would like to thank Dr. Setser, Gina Atchison, Meaghann Crowe, Patsy Eddy, Chuck Taylor, Elissa Clifton, Emmanuel Apach, Faustin Hategekimana and to all the wonderful people at Heartland of Centerville, Ohio, who contributed to the loving care of our mother. Also to all of the kind and caring people at Acclaim Hospice, you have all been a true blessing to our family during this most difficult time. Thank you so much Chaplain Mark Meyers and Hal Ward for all of your kind words, encouragement and all your prayers that you shared with Mother. We will remember you always.