Bernadette Hertzler

BERNADETTE MARIE HERTZLER Bernadette Marie Hertzler, daughter of Clifford Earl and Anna Marie Skroska Bright, was born, Saturday, April 14, 1923 in St. Louis, Missouri. She departed this life, Thursday, May 24, 2007 in Osage Beach Health Care Center, Osage Beach, Missouri at the age of eighty-four years, one month and ten days. On June 5, 1943 in St. Louis, Missouri, she was united in marriage to Benny Leroy Hertzler and to this union five children were born. He preceded her in death on March 7, 2000 after fifty-six years of marriage. Bernadette was the matriarch of her family and leaves to mourn her passing five children, Nancy Lee Culver and husband William Lawson of Osage Beach, Missouri; Katherine Jeanne Gent and husband G. Michael of Norman, Oklahoma; Marianne Samuelson and husband Paul of Sergeant Bluff, Iowa; Christopher Leroy Hertzler and wife Gracie of Linn Creek, Missouri and Bernadette Marie Whittle and husband Everett of Linn Creek, Missouri; ten grandchildren, Stephanie Mitchell, Jeff Gent, Marc Gent, Christopher Butterfield, Eric Hertzler, Brook Hertzler, Susan Hertzler, Sam Hertzler, Pam Bunting and Kayla Hertzler; six great-grandbabies, Ethan, Mackenzie, Carson, Camden, Kaylee and Lorelei; two sisters, Carmella Cunningham and Anna Mae Kersten and husband Bud all of St. Louis, Missouri; a brother, Clifford "Bud" Bright and wife Pat of St. Louis, Missouri and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends. She was raised in St. Louis, Missouri and graduated from Rock High School in 1941. She married her husband while he was serving his country during World War II. She remained in the U.S. as a Navy wife. After his discharge from the Navy they continued to make their home in St. Louis. They moved to Linn Creek, Missouri in 1973 on what is now known as Gun Barrel Ridge Road which Bernadette referred to as paradise. Their claim to fame was the tree on their property that grew around a gun barrel. She was a homemaker and help-mate to her husband in many business ventures. She retired in 1985. She was a member of the Lake of the Ozarks Arts and Crafts Guild, Hospital Auxiliary and Harper Chapel United Methodist Women. She made a profession of faith in Christ and was a member of Harper Chapel United Methodist Church in Osage Beach, Missouri. In her spare time she enjoyed doing crafts, was a seamstress, loved to read, enjoyed current events and was a whiz at Trivial Pursuit. Most of all, she enjoyed spending time with her family. Bernadette was a loving, mother, grandmother, sister and aunt and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate her life and accomplishments and will treasure the memories she created for her family and friends. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, May 29, 2007 in Harper Chapel United Methodist Church with Reverend Jimmie Dace and Reverend Doctor Paul Samuelson officiating. Burial will follow in Laughlin Cemetery, Camdenton, Missouri under the direction of Allee-Holman-Howe Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 6-8 pm Monday in the funeral home with a Rosary Service beginning at 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family suggest memorial donations be made to a fund established at Osage Beach Health Care Center in the name of Bernadette Hertzler to be used for the Precious Memories Unit at the care center. The family would like to thank the "Angels" of Osage Beach Health Care Center for their loving kindness and care during Bernadette's battle with Alzheimer's. Arrangements are under the direction of Allee-Holman-Howe Funeral Home of Camdenton.