Ethel D. Bernson

WASHINGTON?Ethel Delores Bernson, 86, of Washington, passed away at 11:26 p.m. ,Monday, August 12, 2013 at the OSF Richard Owen Hospice Home in Peoria. Ethel was born on July 18, 1927 in Denver, Colorado to Willard Orlando and Dorothy Mary (Lamiarto) Root. She married Elmer Bernson on June 10, 1951 at Augustana Lutheran Church in Denver. Elmer died on May 3, 2013 at their home in Washington. Surviving are four sons, Richard (Linda) of Denver, Willard of Washington, Edward (Gina) of Champaign and Kevin (Schryll) of Shelbyville; two daughters, Karen (Tim) Watt of Washington and Joyce (Rich) Stonecypher of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Ethel enjoyed her 12 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren along with several special nieces and nephews She was also preceded in death by her parents, one sister and one brother. She had worked as a bookkeeper for H & R Block in Creve Coeur and in accounts payable at Woodman of the World in Denver prior to coming to Illinois. Ethel was an active member of St. Mark?s Lutheran Church in Washington, where she helped in Bible School, Alter Guild, Stewardship Committee and had also served as Membership Secretary in the church office for many years. She was a graduate of Barnes Business School in Denver. While her children were growing up she had also helped as a room mother for all six children, a den mother in the Cub Scout program in Washington and helped with P.T.A. activities in the school. Funeral services for Ethel will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, August 24, 2013 at St. Mark?s Lutheran Church with Pastor John Bates officiating. Burial will follow in Hillcrest Memory Gardens, south of Washington. Family will receive friends one hour prior to services at the church on Saturday. Mason-White Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be directed to St. Mark?s Lutheran Church. Online condolences may be made at masonfuneralhomes.com