Bernice Rogers Keener

BERNICE ROGERS KEENER, former resident of 11 ½ Wellsley Drive, Dryden, NY died on September 15, 2006 in Sterling Heights, MI following a long illness. Bernice was born on May 23, 1923 in Groveton, TX the second of nine children born to George and Lucy Rogers. Bernice met her husband Joseph M. Keener in 1945 while he was stationed at Ellington Field, TX during World War II and they were married on January 1, 1946 in Brave, PA. Bernice and Joe lived in Brave, PA and started their family before being transferred to New York State, eventually settling in Ithaca, NY in 1957. Bernice was employed at Rothschild’s Department Store for twenty years and the family was active in youth fellowship at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, Ithaca. In addition to her job and her family responsibilities, Bernice was a Girl Scout leader at South Hill School and then at the Ellis Hollow Community Center. Bernice also served as the Mother Advisor to the Rainbow Girls, Ithaca Assembly #18, a Masonic affiliated organization for teenage girls. Bernice was an active member of the Eastern Star, joining the Magnetic Springs Chapter #557 in Slaterville Springs and was honored to serve as Associate Grand Marshall to the Grand Chapter in 1983. In 1989 following Joe’s retirement from Consolidated Gas in Ellis Hollow, they settled in Dryden, NY and joined the Dryden United Methodist Church where Bernice was an active member of the out-reach committee.

Bernice is survived by her husband, Joseph M. Keener, and daughters Phyllis (Jim) Nelson of Macomb, MI, Leslie (Jim) Millspaugh of Trumansburg, NY, and Sarah (Shaun) Perez of San Antonio, TX. Surviving grandchildren include Joe (Sheryl) Iloff, Jason (Jenny) Iloff, and Christopher (Kim) Iloff all residing in the Detroit area, grandson Samuel Perez of San Antonio, TX and step-grandchildren Joshua (Rami) Millspaugh of Columbia, MO and Jason (Charyl) Millspaugh of Trumansburg, NY. She is also survived by her sisters Juanita (Harold) Murphy of Houston, TX, Darlene (James) Pinckard of Conroe, TX, and one brother Jimmi Rogers of Wood Lake, TX. There are three great-grandchildren Emily Iloff, Jacob Iloff and Liam Millspaugh. Bernice was predeceased by her daughter, Karen Keener Tarquino, sisters Dorothy Lee and Grace Sebastian, and brothers Edward Rogers, John Rogers and Jack Rogers.

A memorial service to honor Bernice’s life will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, September 23, 2006 at the Dryden United Methodist Church with Rev. David H. Nicholls officiating with an Eastern Star Service conducted by members of Magnetic Springs Chapter #557, O.E.S.. Following the church service there will be a luncheon prior to a graveside service at Willow Glen Cemetery, Dryden. Memorial donations, in lieu of flowers, may be made to: The Eastern Star Home, 8290 State Route 69, Oriskany, NY 13424 or a charity of one’s choice. Arrangements are entrusted to the Perkins Funeral Home, 55 West Main Street, Dryden, NY.