Bernice Catherine Pope

Bernice Catherine Pope, 83, of Koeltztown, departed this life, Wednesday, June 27, 2012, in the St. Mary's Health Center, Jefferson City. Mrs. Pope had been in failing health for some time She was born on May 12, 1929, at St. Thomas, a daughter of Henry Phillip and Agnes Gertrude (Luebbering) Strope. Mrs. Pope was united in marriage on April 14, 1956, at St. Thomas, to George Michael Pope, and to this union, eight children were born. Mrs. Pope was a member of the St. Boniface Catholic Church, Koeltztown; the St. Boniface Sewing Circle; the St. Ann's Sodality; the Ladies Auxiliary of the Argyle VFW Post No. 8045; and a member and leader of the St. Thomas 4-H Club. She was a devoted housewife and homemaker and enjoyed quilting, crocheting, gardening and taking care of her family. Those left to mourn the passing of Mrs. Pope include: her husband, George M. Pope of the home; one son, Robert Pope and friend, Rhonda Pope, Freeburg; seven daughters, Janet Carel and husband, Keith, Jefferson City; Linda Herigon and husband, Dave, Iberia; Nancy Schulte and husband, Stephen, Meta; Carol Rackers and husband, Dale, Wardsville; Alice Pope and friend, Michael Fritz, Atlanta, Georgia; Sandy Hale and husband, Patrick, Jefferson City and Diane Pope, Jefferson City; one brother, Leonard Strope and wife, Kathy, St. Thomas; one sister, Dorothy Berhorst, Westphalia; six grandchildren; four great-grandchildren with one anticipated in the near future; brothers-in-law; sisters-in-law; and many other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her father on October 20, 1960; her mother on April 24, 2008, and infant twin sisters. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated for Mrs. Pope at 10:00 a.m., on Saturday, June 30, 2012, in the St. Boniface Catholic Church, Koeltztown, with the Rev. Phil Niekamp, officiating. Interment will be in the St. Boniface Cemetery, Koeltztown, under the direction of the Vienna Chapel of the Birmingham-Martin Funeral Homes. Visitation will be 4 - 8 p.m., Friday, June 29, 2012, with a Prayer Service at 4 p.m. and a VFW Ladies Auxiliary Memorial Service at 7:45 p.m. Additional visitation will be 9 - 10 a.m., Saturday, June 30, 2012, all in the St. Boniface Catholic Church, Koeltztown. Memorial contributions to the Ladies Auxiliary of the Argyle VFW Post No. 8045 are preferred by the family with envelopes available at the St. Boniface Catholic Church, Koeltztown, or the Vienna Office of the Birmingham-Martin Funeral Homes. Online condolences may be left at birminghammartinfuneralhomes.com