Berneice Huffman

Berneice Huffman, age 102 of Macomb, IL formerly of Bushnell and Fairview, IL passed away on Wednesday February 1, 2017 at Bickford Cottage in Macomb, IL.  She was born on March 9, 1914 in Mount Township (rural Bushnell) IL to Elmer and Iva Ebert Gallehue.  She married Cecil Huffman at her parent’s home in rural Bushnell on July 21, 1945 and he preceded her in death on January 4, 1992.  When they were first married, Berneice and Cecil farmed near Bushnell and Avon and in 1949 moved east of Fairview, IL where they farmed for 22 years.  Berneice was also a cook at the D&H restaurant for several years.  Upon retirement from farming, Berneice and Cecil moved to Fairview, and both were bus drivers for the Spoon River Valley School District.  They moved to Bushnell in 1980 where Berneice was a regular for morning coffee at the drug store until she moved to Bickford Cottage in 2014. 

She was a former member of the Fulton County Homemakers Association and served as president and vice-president of that organization.  She and her husband were active members of the Sunnyside Community Club in Fairview for many years.  Berneice was well known as a great cook and an excellent seamstress.

Berneice is survived by one daughter, Sandra (William) Kelley of St. Peters, MO and one son, Larry (Christine) Huffman of Peru, IL; four grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, three nieces and one nephew.  She was also preceded in death by her parents, one brother (Dale Gallehue), and one sister (Mary Ann Sly).

In accordance with Berneice’s wishes there will be no visitation or funeral.  Cremation rites will be accorded and a Memorial Service and burial of ashes will be at a later date.  The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to the Spoon River Valley Educational Fund, 35265 N. Illinois Highway 97, London Mills, IL  61544 or to Harbor Light Hospice, 1865 N. Henderson Suite 10, Galesburg, IL. 61401.  Martin-Hollis Funeral Home in Bushnell, IL is in charge of arrangements.  Please feel free to sign the guestbook or leave condolences at www.martinhollisfh.com.