Dec.
27, 1909 - April 29, 2010SOUTH BEND - A. Bernadine (Colbert) Mills quietly passed away April 29th at the age of 100. She was born in Elkhart and spent the remainder of her life in Mishawaka and South Bend. She was preceded in death by parents, Berdine and Dr. John Conine; one brother, Corwin Conine; a husband of 26 years, Cecil Colbert Sr. (1955), and a husband of 14 years, Ervin Henderson (1972), and a husband of 28 years, Sam Mills (2006); and by two grandchildren, Ross and Robby Colbert (1969). Berdine is survived by two half brothers, Boice Edward of Atlanta, GA, and Bruce Edwards (Ludie) of Palo Alto, CA; two children, Cecil Colbert Jr. of South Bend and Dianne Lou (Colbert) Aker of Mishawaka; five grandchildren, Ricky Colbert, Bryan Aker, Jodi Aker, all of Mishawaka, Mike Colbert of Maine, Georgia (Pugh) Wiseman of South Bend; and five great-grandchildren, Bryan Aker Jr., Joel Wiseman, Lauren Wiseman, all of Mishawaka, Paige Wiseman of South Bend and Esther Colbert of Maine. Berdine stayed young and active for many years. She enjoyed "browsing" at local stores and especially enjoyed shoe and jewelry shopping. She was incredibly generous and loved to buy things for her family. She never missed a birthday or holiday and loved to play with her grandchildren, who lovingly referred to her as "Grams." Berdine loved music, and in her youth she enjoyed dancing the "Black Bottom" and the "Charleston." Berdine was a fantastic card player; she especially loved bridge, eucre and gin rummy. She also enjoyed playing board games with her grandchildren. Berdine had a beautiful yard in River Park where she loved to plant Marigolds and enjoy her beautiful Rose of Sharon bushes and Trumpet Vines. She had a sweet tooth and always had candy for her guests. She was a wonderful cook and made delicious desserts including family favorites chocolate cream pie with graham cracker crust and sour cream raisin pie. Bredine loved to keep a spotless house and spent her time crocheting, reading mysteries, and later in life, enjoyed reading Westerns with her husband, Sam Mills. Berdine was very spry, using a cane only for balance until 2006, when her husband of nearly 30 years, Sam Mills passed away. Not soon after, she had a fall and broke her arm, thereby necessitating a move to Ironwood Health and Nursing Home where she lived out the rest of her days. The family would like to thank the employees of Ironwood Health for taking such good care of "Granny." Viewing will take place Wednesday, May 5th, from 12-1 p.m., with the funeral following immediately after at Palmer's Funeral Home, 2528 Mishawaka Avenue, South Bend, and burial at Gracelawn Cemetery, Elkhart, next to her first husband and father of her children, Cecil Colbert Sr. The family wishes to ask that memorial contributions be made to The Center for Hospice and Palliative Care in honor of the wonderful care they gave Sam Mills.