REV. BERNEICE LETITIA HERR

Reverend Berneice L. Herr, age 81, of Columbia City, IN passed away peacefully at 5:10 p.m., Sunday, December 20, 2009 at her home surrounded by her loving family. Born on June 12, 1928 in DeKalb County, IN she was the daughter of Austin G. and Lula B. (Welsheimer) Sutton.She came to Whitley County when she was 1 year old. Her parents first lived in Union Township and later moved to Thorncreek Township. She graduated from Columbia City High School as Valedictorian of the Class of 1946. On June 20, 1947, she married John Benjamin Herr, Jr. in Columbia City, IN. She and her husband established their home on Hanna St., Columbia City, IN. She attended a Local Pastors' License to Preach School at DePauw in 1982 and finished the Candidacy Program. She completed a North Central Jurisdictional Course of Study for Local Pastors at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, IL., attending from 1983-1987. She was a part-time Fuller Brush dealer from 1966-1984. From 1970-1973 she taught at the First Church of God nursery school. From 1973-1980 she was a bookkeeper and retail salesperson at the Corral, Blue Bell retail factory and outlet store, Columbia City, IN. In 1981, she received the call to full time ministry and served as the Pastor of Etna United Methodist Church and West Point Trinity United Methodist Church until 1989. From 1990-1994, she served as Associate Pastor of Columbia City United Methodist Church.She is a member of the Columbia City United Methodist Church and has been active as a leader in the Girl Scouts, receiving the Hidden Heroines Award from the Indiana Lakeland Girl Scout Council, PTA, the United Methodist Women, Whitley County Church Women, precinct committeewoman, Associated Churches, she served as secretary-treasurer of the Whitley County Ministerial Association for four years and was also treasurer of the Whitley County Energy Assistance Fund. She was the founder and served as the first Executive Director of Helpline of Whitley County, IN. She was the recipient of three Heart of Gold Awards from the Whitley County Community Foundation and taught the Living Faith Sunday School class at Columbia City United Methodist Church for many years.Survivors include her husband, John Benjamin Herr, Jr. of Columbia City, IN; 2 daughters, Mary Patricia (Don) Chenoweth of Carrier Mills, IL; Rebecca L. Vogely of Portland, OR; 2 sons, Rev. David B. (Anita) Herr of Syracuse, IN; Daniel A. Herr of Fort Wayne, IN; 4 grandchildren; 4 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, several half-brothers and half sisters.Visitation is 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, December 23, 2009 at DeMoney-Grimes Countryside Park Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City, IN. Funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 24, 2009 with one hour of calling prior at Columbia City United Methodist Church with Pastor Paul Arnold and Pastor Jean Ness officiating. Burial will follow at a later date. Memorials may be given in memory of Mrs. Herr to Whitley County Helpline or Columbia City United Methodist Church Building Fund. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. Please visit www.demoneygrimes.com to send family condolences or sign the guest register book.Click here to view video tribute**Video may take up to 2 minutes to load.