Berniece Martindale

Berniece Martindale, 99, passed away peacefully on January 4, 2025, with her daughter by her side. She was born the 5th daughter of Russell Vane Ketchum and Ida Blanche (Harden) Ketchum, on November 8, 1925, in Waterloo, Iowa. Her family moved to Rockford, IL when she was an early teen. Berniece and her red hair caught the eye of Vernon F. Martindale and they married November 1, 1942. They enjoyed 56 years together until his passing on January 11, 1999. Together they raised 6 sons and 1 daughter in Rockford, moving to Stillman Valley in 1976. 

She was a member of The Red Brick Church for over 40 years. She served for many years on the funeral committee. 

She enjoyed many hobbies, crocheting, embroidery and sewing. Many were gifted with embroidered kitchen towels or pillowcases over the years. She worked for her sister, Ethel, doing machine embroidery at A-1 Lettering Shoppe. She loved learning to play her piano, a gift from her husband. You had to sneak in if you wanted to hear her play. She said she played for her own enjoyment not for an audience. She was a Jenny Lind volunteer at Swedish American Hospital and after Vernon passed, she did volunteer work at Neighbors in Byron, and at the Rockford Rescue Mission thrift store.

Berniece and Vernon enjoyed spending summer vacations traveling. Packing up their trailer to go camping and see the country. She enjoyed many trips to visit her son Brad in California, her son Brian's family in Minnesota and her niece Judy in Florida. She was especially thankful to have been able to travel to Israel with a group from church in 2000.

Over the years Berniece took care of many family pets. For the last 16 years she cared for her beloved cat, Oreo. She was so happy to be able to have him live with her at Hawthorne Inn assisted living in Rochelle, where he made many friends.

Her home was always open for family members that needed her help.

Berniece is survived by her sons Timothy Sr., Davis, Mark, Rock City, Brian (Lynn) Princeton, MN, daughter Melanie (Thomas) Lichty, Monroe Center. Daughters-in-law Beverly, Rockford, and Elizabeth, Cherry Valley. Grandchildren Deborah Otto, Michael (Susie), Jeffrey (Linda), Timothy Jr., Stephen, Brad Jr., Lindsey (Kris) Anderson, Brian Jr., Sarah, Morgan Lichty, Lincoln (Noel) Lichty. Great Grandchildren Phillip, Bailey, Tia, Breanna (Aaron), Jackson, Joshua, Tyler, Payton, Miles, Noah, Alison, Brian III, Jada, James, Randy, Grayson, Sylvan, Bonnie. Great-Great Grandchildren Oliver, Mya, Jax, Sawyer.

She was predeceased by her husband, Vernon F, sons Vernon T., Louis, Brad Sr., Daughter-in-law Sue, Grandson Rob, her parents and sisters Adella, Ethel, Claire, Florence, Lois.

Memorials to Serenity Hospice and Home, Oregon, IL or The Red Brick Church in Stillman Valley, IL.

Funeral services to be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, January 10, 2025 at the North Church, 102 West Street, Monroe Center, IL. Visitation will be held prior to the service beginning at 10:00 AM. Private burial at Sunset Memorial Garden Cemetery.

Serenity Hospice & Home  

The Red Brick Church