Bernice Keppler, 107, North Manchester, passed away at Timbercrest Healthcare Center, North Manchester, on February 25, 2019. She was the oldest resident at Timbercrest Senior Living Community. Bernice was born in Disko, Indiana on December 7, 1911, the fourth of seven children of Melvin F. Miller and Nettie Edith (Tully) Miller.
In 1929, Bernice graduated from Sidney High School, Sidney, Indiana. She faithfully attended the annual Sidney Alumni Reunion, usually being the oldest alumni in attendance. She married Hobart L. Keppler on August 19, 1945 in the Eel River Church of the Brethren.
Hobart was an auditor for the I.R.S. Bernice worked at the Heckman Bindery in North Manchester from 1939-1952. Then she and her husband moved to Indianapolis where she was a receptionist and secretary to the Deputy Commissioner of Revenue for 9 years. She worked at Monarch Buick as a secretary, and from 1962-1970 she was secretary to the Vice President of Morris Plan, an Indianapolis Bank.
Bernice and her husband retired in 1970. They moved to Timbercrest in 1988. They were married almost 50 years before he passed away on June 4, 1995.
Bernice was a lifelong member of the Eel River Church of the Brethren where for many years she was a chorister. She loved flowers and gardening, reading, crossword puzzles, her pet dogs, and was an accomplished quilter. Bernice and her husband did a lot of bowling and each belonged to 3 different bowling leagues.
She loved to play pool and was still participating in pool tournaments at Timbercrest when she was 100. An avid Chicago Cubs fan, she attended a game at Wrigley field at age 90. Spending time with family was always a joy for Bernice, and she retained her remarkable memory full of so many life experiences.
On August 24 2017, Bernice received an award as Honorary Secretary of State from the Indiana Secretary of State for her long voting record and being the oldest registered voter in Wabash County. She read her newspaper from cover to cover and kept up to date on current events. Bernice is survived by her brother, Rev.
Byron Miller, North Manchester; 4 nieces, 3 nephews, and many great and great great nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, 4 brothers, Delbert, James, Loren and Kenneth Miller, and infant sister. Family and friends may call March 3, 2019 from 1-2 p.m. where there will be viewing at the Timbercrest Chapel, 2201 East Street, North Manchester.
The memorial service will begin at 2 p.m. March 3, 2019 at Timbercrest Chapel. Pastor Roger Eberly and Timbercrest Chaplain, Laura Stone, will officiate. Burial will be in the Ulrey Memorial Cemetery following the memorial service.
Charitable donations may be made to the Eel River Community Church of the Brethren, 2570 St. Road 14, Silver Lake, IN 46982 and Timbercrest Charitable Assistance Fund, P.O. Box 501, North Manchester, IN 46962.
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