Bernice D. Kelley, 82, of Normal died at 8:20 a.m. Saturday, July 25, 2009, at BroMenn Regional Medical Center, Normal.

She was born December 17, 1926, in rural Colfax, a daughter of Peter Cleveland and Lillie Weeks Decker. She married Howard E. Kelley on December 17, 1957. He died July 29, 2005.

Funeral services will be at noon Wednesday, July 29, 2009 at Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Colfax with the Rev. Diane Yentes officiating. Burial will be in Wiley Cemetery, Colfax. Visitation will be from 11:00 to 11:45 am Wednesday at the memorial home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Joseph M. Kelley Education Fund in C/O National City Bank or the Fairview Cemetery Association, Cropsey, IL.

Bernice attended Liberty School #222 and was a graduate of Colfax High School. After high school she and some high school friends went to Chicago to seek employment. She worked for a time in Chicago at the Merchandise Mart. Returning home she attended business school in Champaign. She worked at the Sloan Clinic-Gresheim Building for 7 years for Dr. Owen Deneen. She began a 36 ½ year career at Gailey Eye Clinic working for Dr.Crowley and Dr. John Randolph before moving to the registration desk. For several years during her retirement she was a volunteer at the BroMenn Atrium Café.

She is survived by a son Kevin Decker Kelley and a grandson Joseph Murray Kelley, Manteno; two sisters, Margean McCullough, Bourbonnais; Betty Campbell, West Babylon, N. Y.; a sister-in-law Lois Kelley, Gibson City; and several nieces and nephews.

Bernice was a caring and loving daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt. Her spiritual upbringing was in the Methodist faith and she attended Wesley United Methodist Church. Her grandson Joe brought great joy to her life. Because of her medical knowledge, she was the one family members turned to for medical advice. Her caring and compassionate spirit will be missed very much by her family.