Bernice Thrailkill, 93, of Washington, Ill., died Feb. 25 at Washington Christian Village. Born in Cooper Station, Ill., to Edward and Mae Small Marshall Oct. 8, 1914. She married Paul Thrailkill Oct. 30, 1934 in Washington, he preceded her in death along with her daugther, Karen McCarty, brothers, Maurice, Orville and Paul Eugene Marshall and sister, Irma Mae Gordon.
Bernice and Paul owned Paul's Grocery Store in Washington for over 30 years before semi-retiring and opening the Pantry. During Paul's two years in Mackinaw Tuberculosis Sanitarium, Bernice personally operated the grocery store. After the death of Bernice's sister and brother-in-law, three of their six Gordon nieces and nephews were raised in the Thrailkill home. The love and devotion of their extended family were a very important part of Bernice and Paul's lives. Bernice loved flowers and her huge collection of teddy bears. Bernice was a lifelong servant to the youth of Washington. As a member of the First United Methodist Church (now Crossroads) of Washington, she served 20 years as advisor for the Methodist Youth Fellowship. She also served as the Peoria District Superintendent of MYF. She established a teen Recreation club for Washington youth in the late 1950s for her service to Washington's youth, she was named 1962 "Washingtonian of the Year" and the 1963 T.P. -- W. "Woman of the Year." She contributed countless hours to the less fortunate of Washington through her work in WHIP (Washington Helps Is People).
Bernice is survived by her son, Gene (Karen) Thrailkill of Norman; nieces, Judy (Jerry) Gordon Koch and Joyce (Ben) Gordon Underwood, both of Washington; nephew, Jeff (Diann) Gordon of Carbondale, Ill.; sister, Florence Lorengo Matthews of Washington; sister-in-law, Shirley Thrailkill of East Brewton, Ala.; grandchildren, Gretchen (Ryan) Church of Bloomington, Ill., Rachel McCarty of Peoria, Stacy (Michael) Wehrenberg, Chad (April) Thrailkill, both of Norman, Dawn Thrailkill of Oklahoma City, Lynn Gordon of Chicago, Tom (Kendra) Gordon, Joe (Jessie) Gordon, both of Carbodale, Kim (Randy) MacDonald, Kris Aberle, Ken Koch, Scott (Donna) Underwood, Stephanie (Matt) DeSantis, Sherrie (Geoff) Lucas, Shannon (Jason) Hawksworth, all of Washington; 22 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be 11 a.m. Friday at Crossroads United Methodist Church, 1420 Main St. Washington, with Pastor Tom Goodell officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to the Crossroads United Methodist Church Youth Program, PO Box 299, Washington, IL 61571.
The Cremation Society of Mid-Illinois Co. is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made at csmico.com.
Submitted by family
Obituaries
Bernice Thrailkill
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