Bernace A. Kerwin
Bernace A. Kerwin
Bernace A. Kerwin
July 10, 1921 – February 2, 2019
Oskaloosa, Iowa | Age 97
Bernace A. Kerwin, 97, of Oskaloosa, died Saturday, February 2, 2019, at Oskaloosa Care Center in Oskaloosa. She was born July 10, 1921, in Seymour, Iowa, the daughter of Percy Hughes and Lucy Thomas Hughes.
In 1934, she accepted Christ as her savior, from that time on she devoted her life to sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Bernace graduated from a charter high school in Chicago in 1939. Following high school, she did clerical work. She also attended Moody Bible College.
Bernace was united in marriage to Edwin Daniel Kerwin on March 22, 1941, in Chicago, Illinois. Edwin died on March 20, 2007.
Bernace spent time working in Chicago for a detective. Bernace was an excellent typist and spent most of her working life as a secretary at various places including Mahaska Hospital, Clow Valve Company and the Gospel Tabernacle in Oskaloosa. She also worked as an assistant activity director for Seymour Care Center for many years.
Bernace volunteered for Meals on Wheels. She was always active in her church, she was the church organist and pianist and helped with the Awanis Club. While living in Oskaloosa she attended Gospel Tabernacle now known as Fellowship Bible Church in Oskaloosa. She also taught child evangelism in the family home of Steve Bell in Oskaloosa for many years. Serving the Lord and raising her family were her two greatest joys in life.
Her family includes her two children, Sharon (& F. Richard) Gygi of Nebraska City, Nebraska and John Kerwin of Osceola, Iowa; six grandchildren: Peter Gygi, Phillip (& Maureen) Gygi, Danielle (& Jake) Kraehling, Carley Kerwin, Caleb Kerwin, and Cole Kerwin; four great grandchildren: Theresa and Sarah Gygi and Harrison and Lucy Kraehling; one step grandson, Eric Bertrand; one sister, Reva Anderson of Davenport, Iowa; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Edwin Kerwin; a daughter in infancy, Linda Lou; four brothers: Jack, Bert, Tom, and Keith Hughes; and two sisters, Iris Merritt and Lela Hughes.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, February 5, 2019 at 11 a.m. at the Bates Funeral Chapel in Oskaloosa with Reverend Rodney DeRonde officiating.
Private burial will be held in Southlawn Cemetery in Seymour, Iowa. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.
The family will be present at the chapel from 10 a.m. until service time at 11 a.m. on Tuesday.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to Awanis Program at the First Baptist Church in Nebraska City, Nebraska.
To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Bernace A. Kerwin please visit the Bates Funeral Chapel Sympathy Store.
