obituaries

Berniece Tonsor

Jerseyville |

Berniece Eileen Tonsor, 81, went to be with the Lord and be reunited with Bob, the love of her life, at 12:05 p.m., Tuesday, December 22, 2009, at Jerseyville Manor Nursing Home. She was born in Richwood Township, Jersey County, Il. on March 12, 1928, one of five daughters born to the late John & Sophia (Ontis) Skinner.

She was a graduate of Jersey Township High School, where she was voted by her classmates as the girl with the "most beautiful tresses". Niece married John Robert Tonsor on April 17, 1948, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Fieldon and the two shared 30 years together before his sudden death on July 25, 1978, at the age of 51.  After his death she became the "glue" that kept her family strong and intact.  She also found time to be a loving caregiver to the elderly in their homes during this time.

Surviving are her nine children & their spouses, Cindy & Neal Wittman of Jerseyville, Joan & Jim Withers of Loami, Patty & Bill Kuebrich of Jerseyville, JR and Pam Tonsor of Jerseyville, Phillip & Becky Tonsor of Grafton, Tina & Mike Bennett of Alton, Fran & Larry Bear of Jerseyville, DeeDee Tonsor of Baltimore, Md., and Missy & Jeff Davis of Dow; 21 Grandchildren and their spouses, Chris & Pam Wittman, Jennifer & John Lyles, Briana & Brian Jackson, Sarah & Clarence Grebner, Tony Kuebrich, Paul Kuebrich, Brad & Wendy Tonsor, Barry Tonsor, Erin Tonsor, Bobby Tonsor, Josh & Mindy Tonsor, Jenny & Kevin Macias, Jessie Tonsor, and her fiance Jason Ray, Justin Tonsor, Kevin & Bernadette Bennett, Matt Bennett,  Adam Bennett, and his fiance Keegan Thompson, P.J. Bennett, Lauren Davis, Trevor Davis, and Morgan Davis; 12 Great Grandchildren, Shelby & Veronica Wittman, Logan Lyles, Hannah & Hailey Tonsor, Jackson Tonsor, Lucy & Jude Bennett, Jack & Drew Macias, Ava Tonsor, Margaret Grebner, and two due in February; three step grandchildren, Brian, and his wife, Lori Withers, Eric Withers and Blake Withers; and three step great grandchildren, Alex & Cameron Withers, and Peyton Withers; two sisters, Mary Schloman and Betty Ritter both of Jerseyville, and her mother in law, Ceil Groppel of Jerseyville. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, a son in law, John Stafford; and two sisters, Doris Harvey & Thelma Watts.

Visitation will be from 2 to 7 p.m. Sunday at the Crawford Funeral Home in Jerseyville, where a Rosary will be recited at 2 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10 a.m. Monday at the St. Mary's Catholic Church in Fieldon with Father William Hembrow officiating.

Burial will be alongside her husband at the St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery in Fieldon. In lieu of flowers & plants, memorials may be given to the St. Francis/Holy Ghost Catholic Schools, Jersey Community Hospital Foundation or to Masses.


Obit Provided By:
Crawford Funeral Home

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