In Memory Of
Edna Grace Shepler Bernhard
1935
2019
Edna Grace Shepler Bernhard
February 2, 1935 — December 3, 2019
Edna Grace Shepler Bernhard, 84, died December 1, 2019 in Fort Myers, Florida. She was born in Charlotte, Michigan to William J. and Bernice M. (Hammond) Cain and is best known for her love of music and teaching.
A talented musician, she served as an organist for over 70 years at various churches. She began playing in an official capacity when she was elected church organist at the age of thirteen at the Free Methodist Church in Charlotte where her family attended. While living in Toledo, Ohio, she was a member and organist at Westgate Chapel for over 20 years. After moving to Florida in 1991, she was active in various churches, last serving as member and organist for about 17 years at First Presbyterian Church of Fort Myers where she was affectionately known as "Eddygrace." She also played for local Fort Myers organizations such as the Rotary Club and the annual Hymn Sing and Christmas Carol Sing charity events.
As a teacher, she enjoyed lengthy tenures in both Ohio and Florida. After graduating from the University of Toledo in 1969, she began teaching 5th and 6th grade at Whiteford Elementary in the Sylvania City School District, and was recognized as the State of Ohio's Teacher of the Year in 1989. While in Florida, she taught many years in Collier County Public Schools working with underprivileged and delinquent students in Immokalee until her retirement in 2001.
Edna was preceded in death by her husband, Richard Bernhard and her brother, Stanley Cain. She is survived by her two sons: Gary (Melanie) Shepler and Greg (Vivian) Shepler; six stepchildren: Keith Bernhard, Susie Spencer, Scott (Barbara) Bernhard, Mark (Julie) Bernhard, Sandi Nelson, and John (Lisa) Bernhard; along with 19 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren.
The family will receive guests on Sunday, December 15 from 2:00-5:00 p.m. at Newcomer-Northwest Chapel, 4150 W. Laskey Rd. (419-473-0300) with a Memorial Service starting at 5:00 p.m. A brief Prayer Service will commence on Monday, December 16 at 10:00 a.m. at Newcomer - NW Chapel. Interment will follow at Toledo Memorial Park.
The family requests any memorial donations be made to the Hammond Sisters Scholarship Fund, Spring Arbor University.
A talented musician, she served as an organist for over 70 years at various churches. She began playing in an official capacity when she was elected church organist at the age of thirteen at the Free Methodist Church in Charlotte where her family attended. While living in Toledo, Ohio, she was a member and organist at Westgate Chapel for over 20 years. After moving to Florida in 1991, she was active in various churches, last serving as member and organist for about 17 years at First Presbyterian Church of Fort Myers where she was affectionately known as "Eddygrace." She also played for local Fort Myers organizations such as the Rotary Club and the annual Hymn Sing and Christmas Carol Sing charity events.
As a teacher, she enjoyed lengthy tenures in both Ohio and Florida. After graduating from the University of Toledo in 1969, she began teaching 5th and 6th grade at Whiteford Elementary in the Sylvania City School District, and was recognized as the State of Ohio's Teacher of the Year in 1989. While in Florida, she taught many years in Collier County Public Schools working with underprivileged and delinquent students in Immokalee until her retirement in 2001.
Edna was preceded in death by her husband, Richard Bernhard and her brother, Stanley Cain. She is survived by her two sons: Gary (Melanie) Shepler and Greg (Vivian) Shepler; six stepchildren: Keith Bernhard, Susie Spencer, Scott (Barbara) Bernhard, Mark (Julie) Bernhard, Sandi Nelson, and John (Lisa) Bernhard; along with 19 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren.
The family will receive guests on Sunday, December 15 from 2:00-5:00 p.m. at Newcomer-Northwest Chapel, 4150 W. Laskey Rd. (419-473-0300) with a Memorial Service starting at 5:00 p.m. A brief Prayer Service will commence on Monday, December 16 at 10:00 a.m. at Newcomer - NW Chapel. Interment will follow at Toledo Memorial Park.
The family requests any memorial donations be made to the Hammond Sisters Scholarship Fund, Spring Arbor University.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Edna Grace Shepler Bernhard, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Sunday, December 15, 2019
2:00 - 5:00 pm (Central time)
Newcomer - NW Toledo Chapel
Service
Sunday, December 15, 2019
Starts at 5:00 pm (Central time)
Newcomer - NW Toledo Chapel
Brief Prayer Service
Monday, December 16, 2019
10:00 - 10:15 am (Central time)
Newcomer - NW Toledo Chapel
Guestbook
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