Obituary for Bernice Thrailkill
Bernice Thrailkill 93, of Washington passed away on Monday February 25, 2008 at Washington Christian Village. Born in Cooper Station, IL to Edward and Mae Small Marshall on October 8, 1914. She married Paul Thrailkill on October 30, 1934 in Washington, he preceded her in death along with her daughter 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 1950’s. 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” (Washinton Helps Its People). Bernice is survived by her son Gene (Karen) Thrailkill of Norman, OK, nieces; Judy (Jerry) Gordon Koch and Joyce (Ben) Gordon Underwood both of Washington, nephew Jeff (Diann) Gordon of Carbondale, sister Florence Lorengo Matthews of Washington, sister-in-law Shirley Thrailkill of East Brewton, AL, grandchildren; Gretchen (Ryan) Church of Bloomington, Rachel McCarty of Peoria, Stacy (Michael) Wehrenberg, Chad (April) Thrailkill both of Norman, OK Dawn Thrailkill of Oklahoma, City, OK, Lynn Gordon of Chicago, Tom (Kendra) Gordon, Joe (Jessie) Gordon both of Carbondale, 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 held on Friday February 29, at 11 a.m. at Crossroads United Methodist Church-1420 Main St. Washington. Pastor Tom Goodell will officiate. 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-P.O. Box 299 Washington, IL 61571. The Cremation Society of Mid-Illinois Co. is assisting the family with arrangements.
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