Iris Elaine Bernhardt

Born March 10, 1931 in Brownstown to Earnest and Essie (Tackett) Koehler, she married Glenn Edward Bernhardt on August 2, 1955 in Vandalia. He died January 13, 1995, in Pekin. She was also preceded in death by her parents; three sisters and three brothers.

Surviving are three daughters, Susan (Donald) Rollo of Pekin, Debra (Scott) Heberer of Pekin and Diane (Ty) Heberer of Delavan; two sons, Michael (Bobbi) Bernhardt of Anderson, Indiana and Stephen (Caroline) Bernhardt of Manito; 12 grandchildren, including Derrick (Sarah) Rollo, Rachel (Eric) Poole, Lacey (Andrew) Hunt, Corrina (Chad) Lhamon, Cole Bernhardt, Jade Heberer, Brittany (Daniel) Rothweiler, Tristan (Jodi) Bernhardt, Raina Heberer, Kayla Minton, Andrew Heberer and Kyndal Heberer; 13 great-grandchildren and one brother, Richard (Rose) Koehler.

A homemaker, Iris had also worked as the librarian at Green Valley High School for six years and later worked as the Assistant Post Master in Green Valley for many years.

Iris was a loving mother and “Grammy.” She enjoyed raising a garden and working in her flower beds. She was also a great seamstress, but her greatest joy was spending time with family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She attended Pekin First Church of God and particularly enjoyed teaching during Vacation Bible Schools. She was also a Sunday School teacher serving as the Sunday School Secretary and active in both the grief and food ministries.

Her funeral will be at 12:30 p.m., Wednesday, December 28, 2022, at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. Pastor Kim Bacon will officiate. Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday evening at the funeral home. Cremation will be accorded following the service. Inurnment will be at a later date at Camp Butler National Cemetery in Springfield, Illinois next to her husband.

Memorial contributions may be given to Fresenius Kidney Care, 3521 Veterans Drive, Pekin, Illinois 61554 or to the Pekin First Church of God, 2520 Maywood Avenue, Pekin, Illinois 61554.

To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com