Bernice Baker

BERNICE BAKER, formerly of Petroleum and Bluffton, died Saturday, Nov. 29, 2008, 1:20 p.m., at The Oaks Living Center in Columbia City, where she has lived since October, 2006. Born Oct. 9, 1905, in Wells County, she was the daughter of the late Charlie D. and Stella (Grove) Markley. She attended school in Chester Township, graduating from Petroleum High School in 1923. She began working at Markley Brothers Grocery in Bluffton after graduation. She married Ralph H. Baker on April 14, 1934, in Saratoga, Ind.; together they owned and operated groceries in Fort Wayne, Keystone and Petroleum for several years. She began working in the cafeteria at Petroleum School in 1953, moving to Southern Wells when it opened, and retired from there. After selling her home in Petroleum in 1979, she moved to Capri II Apartments in Bluffton, living there until her age and declining health caused the move to Columbia City to be near her family. She was a member of Crescent Chapter 48, OES, the Rebecah Lodge, and attended Petroleum United Methodist Church in Petroleum when she lived there. She was also a former member of the None Such Home Extension Club of Nottingham Township. Bernice loved to cook, play Scrabble, Bridge and Euchre, crochet, travel and spend time with her friends and family. Surviving are her daughter, Barbara (Bill) Overdeer of Columbia City; grandson, Brent (Cindy) Bockelman, granddaughter, Lori (Brandin) Heuer; step-grandsons, Michael (Angie) Overdeer, Mark (Jo) Overdeer, Randall Bockelman, and Michael (Dawn) Bockelman, all of Columbia City, and Matthew (Becky) Overdeer of Clearwater, Fla.; four great-granddaughters; 14 step-great-grandchildren; three step-great-great-grandchildren; sister, Charleen Roberts of Marion; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; two brothers, Lewis J. Markley and infant Victor Eugene Markley; and a sister, Josphine Barnes. Service is 2 p.m. Wednesday at Thoma/Rich, Chaney & Lemler Funeral Home, 308 W. Washington St., Bluffton, with calling one hour prior. Pastor C. James Cress officiating. Calling also from 3 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Burial in Stahl Cemetery, north of Petroleum. Memorials to Heartland Hospice or Loving Options. Online condolences to www.thomarich.com

Bernice Baker

October 8, 1905 - November 29, 2008