Ilion Bernice D. Loomis, 96, recently residing at Mohawk Homestead and formerly at John Guy Prindle Apts, Ilion, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, September 2, 2012 at Little Falls Hospital. Bernice was born on December 28, 1915 in West Edmeston, NY, daughter of the late Lenzo and Bessie (Crandall) Dye. She was educated in Herkimer and Middleville schools and worked at the Mohawk Valley General Hospital as a ward clerk and also as the Manager of the Snack Bar, she retired in 1978. In 1931 Bernice married Charles S. Loomis in Herkimer and together shared over 60 years of marriage; he passed away March 20, 1992. Bernice was a member of the Ilion First Baptist Church where she had served as a Deaconess, was a member of the church women's society. She was also a life member of the Evening Star Valley Chapter 82. Bernice was also active with the Foothill Council of the Girl Scouts and Brownies, the hospital guild and the AARP. To know her was to love her. She had a smile for everyone and family was everything to her. She touched everyone with her gentleness. Bernice is survived by her loving daughters; Joyce and her husband Paul Earl, Jr. of Ilion, Jo-Anne and her husband Jack Manley of Spring Hill, FL and Lynda and her husband Martin Merchant of Hastings on the Hudson. Her sisters, Winifred Hilts of Little Falls and Josephine Mead of Mohawk. 13 cherished grandchildren, whom she said always gave her another goal to look forward to, Kevin (Mary) Earl, Patricia (Jack) Wolber, Paul (Gail) Earl III, James (Linda) Earl, Sally (Kenneth) Infarinato, Mary Beth (Craig) Hartmann, Joan (Michael) Shubert, Jon Manley, Jeffrey (Tammy) Manley, Janet Austin, Alice Merchant, Jesse (Lindsay) Merchant and Cory (Stacey) Merchant. She also leaves 28 beloved great grandchildren and 4 great great grandchildren. as well as several very special nieces and nephews. Bernice is pre deceased by a daughter Joan Loomis; her sister, Betty Fralick, and brothers Donald, Bernard, Gerald, Robert, Wilfred, Russell, James and Leo Dye. Her family would like to thank the staff of the Mohawk Homestead for their loving care and kindness. A memorial service for Bernice will be held on Saturday, September 8, 2012 at 1:00 pm in the Whiter-Hendrix Funeral Home Inc. 100 Otsego St. in Ilion, her nephew Rev Ronald Fralick will officiate. Interment will follow in the West Winfield Cemetery. Friends and family may call on Saturday from 11am until the time of the funeral. Bernice's family request memorial contributions be made to the Mohawk Homestead or the First Baptist Church in Ilion, envelopes are available at the funeral home. The Evening Star Chapter OES will conduct services at Noon on Saturday at the funeral home. On line condolences may be sent by going to www.whiter-hendrix.com.