Bernadette R. (Werning) Thomas

Bernadette "Bernie" (Werning) Thomas passed away November 11, 2016 at St Anne's Hospital with her family by her side. She was born to Bernard and Antoinette (Coehrs) Werning on November 15, 1922. She was looking forward to celebrating her 94th birthday. She married Joseph Thomas her longtime sweetheart on September 25, 1948, at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church.

Prior to her marriage she worked for Ohio Bell and LaSalle's Department Store. Bernie was a proud homemaker to her four children. When her children became older, she returned to the work force as a cashier at K-Mart. She bowled on many leagues starting when she worked at LaSalle's, until she had a stroke in 2001. She was always very active in her bowling leagues, holding the office of secretary in each. Bernie was a Girl Scout leader and also held the office of Treasurer for the Silhouettes Baton and Drum Corp. She was an avid baker, enjoyed doing crossword puzzles, playing cards, and above all else loved spending time with her family.

Bernie is survived by her husband of 68 years, Joseph; son, Jerry (Mary); daughters, Janet (Rich) Minkowski, Sue Ann Thiel and Cheryl (Tom) LaForge; grandchildren, Jeremy (Michelle) Thomas, Angela (Nolan) Nowak, Richelle (Conor) O'Mara, Eric Minkowski , Jennifer (Dan) Losek, Joshua (Brooke Hull) Thiel, Jessica (PJ) Webb, Joseph (Heather) LaForge and Felicia LaForge; great grandchildren, Cameron (Jordan) Meredith, MacKenzie, Kaiya, Addison Thomas, Briana and Lia Nowak, Hailey and Max O'Mara, Daniel III, Jayden, and Arabella Losek and Bradley LaForge. She was preceded in death by her parents and her sibling's; brothers, Francis and Donald Werning and sister, Mary Mineff.

Bernie was the heart of her family. She was strong willed, witty, and inspirational. She never met a stranger and treated everyone as if they were a part of the family, loving each person unconditionally. She was a woman who took what life gave her and didn't let anything stop her from living a happy life filled with love and laughter. She will be deeply missed by all.

The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to all her caregivers especially Dana, Shirley and Cherry, St. Anne's ER Department and her long time physician Dr. Lodovico Aguillon.

The family will receive guests on Wednesday, November 16, 2016 from 2:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Newcomer Funeral Home, 4752 Heatherdowns Blvd. (419-381-1900) with a Rosary at 7:00 p.m. in the funeral home. Her Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, November 17, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at Most Blessed Sacrament Church, 2208 Castlewood Drive, Toledo, OH 43613, where the family will gather with guests from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the Funeral Mass. Officiating will be Fr. Philip Smith. Interment will follow in Restlawn Memorial Park.