Obituary of Bernice H. Howard

Bernice H. "Bunny" Howard, 81, formerly of 4360 Gerry-Levant Road, Gerry, went to meet her Lord Saturday December 3, 2016 in Heritage Village Rehab and Skilled Nursing where she had resided since 2013. She was born February 11, 1935 in Jamestown, a daughter of the late Melvin E. and Lillian Hodges Smith. Her Christian faith was very important to Bunny. She lived that out in life and in her work as church secretary for many years at Park United Methodist Church, Sinclairville. She earlier had worked for Cassadaga Valley Central School in the dietary department, Lundquist Hardware, Monroe Calculating and Jamestown Stamp Company. She was well known for her baking, especially pies, caring for others and her charity work. She was a member of Park United Methodist Church and Eastern Star. She gave of her time as a community organizer for the American Cancer Society and was the originator of the dinner salad at the Gerry Rodeo Barbeque Beef Dinners. Bunny was the mother of Linda Howard (O. Dennis) Bartholomew of Gerry, C. Robert (Debbie Norrod) Howard of Stockton and H. Daniel Howard of Gerry; grandmother to O. Jason Bartholomew, Philip Bartholomew, Cassandra Logan, Robert Howard, Michael Howard, Jennifer Haer, Matthew, Tammi, Brandi and Colton Howard and Jacqueline Dorman and twenty four great grandchildren. Also surviving are her sisters Barbara (Duane) Thorpe of Panama and Mary Lou (Malcolm) Best of Little Rock, AK. Besides her parents she was preceded in death by her husband Charles R. "Chuck" Howard, whom she married July 5, 1953 and who died February 5, 2013; a brother Melvin D. Smith; a sister Norma S. Eddy and Godparents Harold and Alice Ericson. A Celebration of life will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday in Park United Methodist Church. Rev. James Bailey will officiate. Burial will be in Gerry Cemetery. Friends will be received from 2-4 Friday in the Lind Funeral Home and for one hour prior to the service, Saturday in the church. Memorials may be made to Chautauqua Hospice and Palliative Care, 20 W. Fairmount Avenue, Lakewood, NY 14750, Heritage Village East Wing Connections, 4570 Route 60, Gerry, NY 14740 or Park United Methodist Church, 49 Sinclair Drive, Sinclairville, NY 14782. You may leave words of condolence at www.lindfuneralhome.com.