Bernice B Martin

Bernice B. Martin (nee Dannehold), 96, of Westfield Center, Ohio and formerly of Fairview Heights, Illinois, died peacefully at her home on Sunday, September 17, 2017. She was surrounded by family, as she left to join her husband Robert O. Martin, who preceded her in death in 1971.

Bernice was born in East St. Louis, Illinois to Alvin and Nelda Dannehold (nee Eckert) on January 1, 1921. On May 14, 1942, she was united in marriage to Robert O. Martin in Port Townsend, Washington. They enjoyed 28 years of marriage until his death in 1971. Bernice is survived by their two daughters and sons-in-law, Janet and Tim McEvilly of Romeoville, IL, and Jeanne and Gary Lewis of Westfield Center, OH. She leaves five grandchildren and their spouses: Kellie and Paul Valentine, Kerrie and Paul Erickson, Timothy and Deb McEvilly, Todd and Amy McEvilly, and Heather and Jon Musick. She will be sorely missed by her beloved great-grandchildren: Lucas, Rachel and Sarah Valentine; Jakob, Thomas and Sam Stageberg; Maggie and Liam McEvilly; Kendall and Tyler McEvilly; and Kailey and Hudson Musick. She also leaves behind step great-grandchildren Kari and Jill Erickson; a sister-in-law and her husband, Wilma Jean (nee Martin) and Anthony Gass; and numerous nephews, nieces and cousins.

Bernice loved working with people beginning with her first job at Sonnefeld's Department Store in St. Louis, followed by years of helping her parents at Dannehold's Market in Washington Park, to years working with her husband and in-laws at Martin's Bakery in East St. Louis. After her husband's death in 1971, Bernice began working in retail department stores and did so until she was 83 years of age. At age 80, she was named Outstanding Store Employee by Marshall Field’s department store in Aurora, IL.

Throughout her life she always kept in contact with relatives and friends through the art of letter writing. She was known for her thoughtful, creative gifts and handmade quilts that will be cherished by all, especially her great-grandchildren. At age 92, Bernice was awarded a medal from Edward Hospital in Naperville, IL, for 100 hours of service crocheting baby quilts for the newborns. Her gentle heart and kind words extended to everyone she met. Though gone from us in body, we will always be surrounded in her love.

Bernice was preceded in death by her husband, Robert O. Martin; her parents, Alvin and Nelda Dannehold; a brother and his wife, Alvin, Jr. and Frieda Dannehold; parents-in-law Elizabeth and William Martin; and brothers-in-law, Earl and James Martin.

A funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on October 21st, 2017, at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Belleville, Illinois, with a luncheon to follow.

A private interment will take place at Lake View Memorial Gardens in Fairview Heights, IL.

Donations may be made to Life Care Hospice at www.lifecarehospice.org/donate in memory of Bernice Martin.