Edna E. (Winkler) Bailey Wernsman

Edna E. Bailey Wernsman, 96, of Germantown Hills, IL, passed away at 8:33 pm on Saturday, November 30, 2024, at Snyder Village Health Center in Metamora, IL.

She was born on May 7, 1928, in Mackinaw, IL, to Norman C. and Iris L. (Kearney) Winkler. She married James R. Bailey, Jr. in 1948. She later married Benno J. Wernsman on December 29, 1973 in Metamora, IL.

Surviving are her husband, Benno of Germantown Hills; children, Dixie Dehart of Bloomington, IL, Dan (Deb) Bailey of East Peoria, IL, Kevin (Debra) Bailey of Pekin, IL, Brett Bailey of Smithfield, IL, Bonita Boyd of Metamora, IL, Tom Wernsman of Metamora, IL, Alberta (Greg) Fandel of Germantown Hills, IL, and Jim (Renee) Wernsman of Metamora; thirty grandchildren; eighty-seven great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, sons Jim Bailey III and Bill Bailey, grandson Curtis Bailey, granddaughter Trina Bailey, great-grandson Luke Wernsman, brothers Wilbur, Norm "N.J.", Bill "Bud", Curt and Floyd, and sisters Dorothy, Lucy "Dot", Rosie, Beatrice "Mickey", and Patty.

Edna grew up in Mackinaw listening to her dad play the fiddle and obviously learning how to be a great cook from her mother. She learned to do the jitter bug with her sisters. She and her sisters also enjoyed the Saturday night square dances where she taught her kids to do the same. For many years she served as a Cub Scout Den Mother for her boys as well as many of the others boys in Mackinaw. While still in Mackinaw she worked in Bloomington at the Eureka Williams Vacuum factory on the fuse line for the US Defense Department.

After she met and married Benno, she moved to Germantown Hills and joined him at Wernsman's Restaurant. There she found many friends with customers and employees. Benno taught her to fish while on the many vacation trips to Lake Osakis, Minnesota and while camping at Mill Point camp grounds in Spring Bay, many times out fishing him.

After retirement she and Benno enjoyed thirteen winters in Leesburg, Florida fishing and dancing. She was a proud fifty plus year member of St. Mary of Lourdes Catholic Church in Germantown Hills. Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas time were always special for family gatherings.  Benno and the family want to thank the staff at Snyder Village for their extraordinary care and love they provided Edna.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 am on Saturday, December 7, 2024 at St. Mary of Lourdes Catholic Church with Father Eric Bolek officiating. Recitation of the Rosary will be held at 4:00 pm on Friday, December 6, 2024 at Mason Funeral Home Germantown Hills Chapel with visitation to follow from 4:30 pm until 7:30 pm. Additional visitation will be held from 9:00 am until 10:00 am on Saturday at the funeral home. Burial will be in St. Mary of Lourdes Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to St. Mary of Lourdes Rectory Building Fund, 424 Lourdes Church Road, Metamora, IL 61548 or Snyder Village Residents in Need Fund, 1200 East Partridge Street, Metamora, IL 61548. Online condolences at www.masonfuneralhomes.com.

St. Mary of Lourdes Rectory Building Fund
424 Lourdes Church Road, Metamora IL 61548

Snyder Village Residents in Need Fund
1200 East Partridge Street, Metamora IL 61548