Bernadine B. Higgins

Bernadine B. Higgins, 85, of Montoursville, passed away peacefully at Valley View Nursing Center on Friday, January 4, 2013.

Born in South Williamsport on April 5, 1927, she was a daughter of the late Charles J. and Lula Mae (Eagleberger) Brooke.

Bernadine was a member of St. James Episcopal Church, Muncy, and was also a volunteer at Muncy Valley Hospital. She devoted her spare time to her children and their activities, and enjoyed playing cards and games with them. She also liked to play bingo.

Surviving are six daughters, Sharon Gallagher of Jersey Shore, Janice Weigel and companion Fred Kiessling of Williamsport, Michelle Shaw and husband Ned of South Williamsport, Beverly Orner and companion Mark Ritter of Watsontown, Theresa Bardo and husband Duane of Valley View, Pa., and Kimberly Hales and husband Cliff of NC; one daughter-in-law, Linda Higgins of Montoursville; two sons, Ronald Higgins and wife Ginny of Millville and Dale Higgins and wife Fay of Watsontown; one brother Leroy “Bert” Brooke of WA; two sisters, Beatrice “Tiny” Crouse of Duboistown and Annabelle Gottschall and husband LeRoy of Muncy;. Bernadine is also survived by 38 grandchildren and 43 great-grandchildren.

In addition to her parents and former husbands, James Callahan and Robert M. Higgins, Sr., she was predeceased by one daughter, Marilyn Gardner; one son, Robert M. Higgins, Jr., three sisters, Elizabeth “Betty” Meyer, Mary Lou Edwards, and Katherine “Katie” Laylon; two brothers, Walter “Buss” Brooke and Claude John Brooke; and one granddaughter, Mabel L. Dyer.

Friends will be received from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 11, at Grenoble’s, 121 S. Main St., Muncy, where the funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Officiating will be Pastor Andy Beare of Greenview Alliance Church, Montoursville. Interment will follow in Muncy Cemetery.

The family will provide the flowers and suggests memorial contributions be made to the Sunrise Terrace Unit of Valley View Nursing Center, 2140 Warrensville Road, Montoursville, PA 17754.

Expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.grenoblefuneralhome.com