Bernice E. Schroeder, 89, passed away at 9:14 a.m. Friday, August 21, 2015 at her home in rural Effingham,

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, August 25, 2015 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Effingham with burial in Arborcrest Memorial Park. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday evening at the church, and for one hour prior to the funeral service Tuesday morning. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society Effingham Co. Relay For Life, Hospice of Lincolnland or St. John's Lutheran Church.

Bernice was born November 10, 1925 in Moccasin Township, the daughter of Herman and Ellenora (Ziegler) Klitzing. She married Arlin Schroeder on September 1, 1951 and he preceded her in death in 1998. Bernice was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Effingham, Effingham V.F.W. Auxiliary #1769 and a volunteer for Effingham County Relay For Life. She was an agent for Banner Mutual/Schroeder Insurance Agency for many years, as well as a homemaker.

Bernice is survived by her son, Jim (Kathy) Schroeder of Effingham; daughter, Jan Pike of Watson; brother, Eldor Klitzing of Effingham; sisters-in-law, Ruth Klitzing of Sadorus and Lucille Schroeder of Altamont; grandchildren, Erik Pike and Jill Pike (friend, Haven); step-grandchildren, Chris (Chelsea) Lash, Barb (Darrell) Schaal and Windy (Danny) Westfall; great-grandchildren, Aiden Hardiek, Will Hardiek and Corbyn Pike; step-great-grandchildren, Justin (Megan) Schaal, Jordan (friend, Wesley) Schaal and Colin Lash.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; granddaughter, LeAnn Schroeder Hardiek; brothers, Milton Klitzing, Delmar (Rosina) Klitzing, Edgar (Lena) Klitzing; sister, Laverne Koeberlein (Roy Lock); brothers-in-law, Ervan Schroeder and Charles Schroeder; sisters-in-law, Dorothy Klitzing, Frieda (Orville) Soltwedel and Bernadine (Carl) Wallner.