Obituary of Bernice Grace Dehlinger

Bernice Grace Burch Dehlinger, 88, passed away peacefully in Tucson, Arizona of a long illness with her daughter and son in law at her side. Bernice was born on December 21st 1927 to Burnett E Burch Sr. and Grace Louise Schmidt Burch in Stevens Point WI. She graduated from P J Jacobs High School, Stevens Point, Wisconsin in 1946. She married James Joseph Dehlinger Sr. at St. Stephan's Catholic Church, Stevens Point Wisconsin on June 7th, 1947. Bernice graduated from Central State Teacher's College (now University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point) with a BS in Primary Education in 1951. She taught kindergarten for many years in the Stevens Point Public School System. When her husband became a senior executive in Colonial Penn Insurance Company in 1966, Bernice retired from teaching and earned a Masters degree in Science (Educational Counseling) from Villanova University in 1973. Bernice counted among her friends and personal acquaintances many famous historical and political figures of the twentieth century. Bernice was also an artist and wildlife cinematographer. She supported children's charities overseas. Bernice traveled widely in America, Europe and Africa. Her favorite place was Jackson Hole. When her husband retired in 1983, the family moved to Sierra Vista, AZ. After her husband's death in 1989, she moved to Tucson to be near family. A life-long Catholic Bernice was an active member of Corpus Christi church. Bernice is survived by her children Nancy Dehlinger Daly (Joseph) and James J Dehlinger Jr (Nancy Hope); her grandchildren Joseph John Daly III (Rebecca), Jennifer Leigh Daly Roll (Michael), and James Ludwell Lee Dehlinger; and her great-grandchildren Jaren Daly, Marcus Daly, Destry Roll and Hunter Roll. She was predeceased by her husband James J Dehlinger Sr., her parents Burnett and Grace Burch, and her brother Burnett Burch Jr.