Bernita Ann Gotschall Werries Obituary (1941 - 2020)

Bernita Ann Gotschall Werries, 78, of Jacksonville passed away on Monday, July 20, 2020 at her home. She was born November 21, 1941 in Alton, IL, daughter of Raymond & Helen (Whittaker) Gotschall. She married Wayne Parker on April 7, 1964 and they later divorced but remained friends. She then married Jim Werries on August 17, 2013 in Jacksonville and he survives. Bernita was a graduate of Jacksonville High School, also earning a certificate from Lincoln Land Community College to work as a teacher's aide. She made her living as a homemaker, while raising her children and then began working as a teacher's aide. She was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Jacksonville, where she was very active and played piano. Bernita enjoyed crocheting and had made many baby blankets over the years. She loved reading, quilting & sewing. She was great seamstress and sewed clothes for many people. She had sewn everything from recital costumes & kilts to formal & wedding dresses. Later in life, throughout a time of illness, she became patient and never complained. If her kids could thank her for anything, it would be for taking them to church and teaching them about having faith in God. In addition to her husband, Bernita is survived by her children: Sherri (David) Helmich, Virginia, IL, Susan (Terry) Parker-Lyons, Delavan, IL, Raymond (Janine) Parker, Rushville, IL, Janet Jones, Meredosia, IL, Brenda Parker-Young, Taylorville, IL; 15 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren and an uncle, George (Patti) Caudle, Palmyra, IL. She was preceded in death by her father, Raymond Gotschall & mother, Helen Gilleland. Funeral services for Bernita will be held on Friday, July 24, 2020 in Calvary Baptist Church, Jacksonville at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Ron Heard officiating. Burial will be in Ebenezer Cemetery, Jacksonville. Visitation will be held Friday from 10:00 a.m. until service time in the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Bernita's honor may be made to Calvary Baptist Church, 859 N. Main St., Jacksonville, IL 62650 and will be accepted by McCracken-Dean Funeral Home who is assisting the family.