Submitted by: Dan Rich

Thelma Bernhard

Feb. 28, 1929 - Feb. 17, 2007

South Bend Tribune 2/20/2007
SOUTH BEND - Thelma Bernhard, 77, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, Feb. 17. Thelma passed away in her home. Thelma was born February 28, 1929, in Davie County, North Carolina, to John and Minnie Anderson, as one of eight brothers and sisters. Thelma was a graduate of Farmington High School in Davie County, North Carolina, where she lettered in basketball. Following high school, Thelma went to nursing school where she was voted most outstanding student in her class by her peers. Thelma also served in the Navy where she received additional training as a nurse and was discharged as a lieutenant. She was very proud of her service in the Navy.

It was in the service that she met her husband at the time, Gerald Bernhard, who preceded her in death. After leaving the service they moved to South Bend where Thelma worked as an RN in Memorial Hospital for 35 years. She is survived by two sons, Edward Earl (Monica) and Douglas John (Rachel); three grandchildren, James Earl (Tuesday) Bernhard, Nicholas John (Kandina) Bernhard and Candace (Juston) Fluckey; four step-grandchildren, Branden Herron, Josie, Jessica and Jacob Weiler; and a great-granddaughter, Alyssa Bernhard. She is also survived by two sisters, Lucille Plott of Mocksville, North Carolina, and Lorene Frye of Williston, Florida; as well as by many nieces and nephews in North Carolina with whom she stayed very close and considered her immediate family as well.

Services for Thelma will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 22, in Lakeside Baptist Church, 515 Michigan Trail, Lakeville, IN. Rev. Vito Rulli, pastor of the church, will conduct the services. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday in the Welsheimer Family Funeral Home, 521 N. William St., South Bend, and one hour prior to services Thursday in the church. Burial with military honors will be at Southlawn Cemetery, South Bend. The family request that memorial contributions be made to the Memorial Health Foundation Children's Fund, 615 N. Michigan, South Bend, IN 46601