Josephine I. Bernard “beloved mother and grandmother”


SHINGLEHOUSE, PA----Josephine I. “Jo” Bernard, 84, of Shinglehouse, passed away in her home surrounded by her loving family on Wednesday, April 8, 2015, following a long illness.

Born July 27, 1930 in West Clarksville, NY, she was a daughter of Cleo F. and Mildred I. Ferrington Fisk. On October 29, 1951 in Olean, NY, she married John A. Bernard, who passed away on April 26, 1985.

Jo was a graduate of Bolivar High School. She was employed as a nurse’s aide at the former Hewitt Manor Nursing Home in Shinglehouse and was also a caregiver for area families. Jo retired as a housekeeper from the former St. Francis Hospital in Olean.

Jo was a member of St. Theresa Catholic Church in Shinglehouse. She was a “Jill of all trades”. She enjoyed jigsaw puzzles, word search puzzles, and feeding the birds. She was a loving wife and mother, always making sure her family was cared for, since her greatest love was her family.

Surviving are four sons, Christopher (Brenda) Bernard of Powhantan, Va., Steve (Carol) Bernard of Coudersport, Gary (Wendy) Bernard of Shinglehouse, and Paul (Michelle) Bernard of Gasport, N.Y.; two daughters, Cynthia (Bill) Ryan of Wellsville, N.Y. and Linda Bernard of Ceres, N.Y.; fourteen grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; a sister, Ruth F. Lowe of Olean, N.Y.; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and husband, Jo was predeceased by a daughter, Deborah L. “Deb” Pearsall, who passed away on April 2, 2015; two brothers; and four sisters.

Friends may call on Sunday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, 118 South Union Street, Shinglehouse, PA where funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, April 13, 2015 with the Rev. Thomas E. Brown, pastor of St. Theresa Catholic Church, officiating. Burial will be in Maple Grove Cemetery, Shinglehouse, PA.