Berniece Marie (Pope) Conrad

Berniece Marie Pope Conrad, a long-time resident of Gibsonburg, died March 13, 2017, at the age of 92 years.  Berniece was born May 19, 1924, in Roger Mills County in western Oklahoma near the town of Strong City.  Berniece was a child of both the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl. After graduating valedictorian of her high school class and relocating to Oklahoma City, she supported the war effort during World War II at Tinker Field Air Base, being the supervisor for the painting of C-47 transport aircraft.  While in Oklahoma City, she met her future husband, Glenn, and following the end of Glenn’s service in the United States Navy, they were married October 24, 1946, in Sapulpa, Oklahoma, on their way to Glenn’s home state of Ohio to begin married life. Following the purchase of a small farm located in rural Gibsonburg, Glenn and Berniece enjoyed the life of being a farming couple and parents of two sons, Dennis and Brian.  With the untimely death of Glenn in 1969, Berniece elected to receive technical training in order to provide for her and her sons. Rising through available employment opportunities, she was ultimately able to work for many years in the office of Probate Court for Sandusky County until her retirement. During the time of her employment in the office of Probate Court, she sold the farmhouse to her son Brian, and became a resident of the village of Gibsonburg. Due to declining health, she has been a resident of Eden Springs Healthcare Center in Green Springs for the past seven years.  Throughout her life in Ohio, Berniece was an active member of Trinity United Methodist Church of Gibsonburg, being a Sunday School teacher, member of the Truth-Seeker’s Class, working with Youth Fellowship, and member of the choir. She enjoyed the fellowship of her church-life, singing and making a joyful noise unto the Lord, and the quiet and thoughtful atmosphere of being close to nature on the farm.  She is preceded in death by her husband Glenn, her son Brian, and her parents and siblings, having been the last surviving member of her generation of the Pope family. Berniece is survived by her son Dennis and daughter-in-law Deneise, granddaughter Emily, grandson Neil and granddaughter-in-law Ashley, great-granddaughter Elise, and numerous nephews and nieces.  A Memorial Service celebrating her life will be held at Trinity United Methodist Church, Gibsonburg on Friday, March 24, 2017, at 3:00 PM. The Herman-Veh Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, Gibsonburg has had the honor of serving Berniece and her family.