Berniece Buchanan

Berniece Buchanan, age 96, of rural Lawrenceville, Illinois, passed away Friday, May 17, 2024 at her residence. She was born March 12, 1928 in Crawford County, Illinois. She was the adopted daughter of Sherman and Mabel (Stivers) Gray. She married Clarence E. Buchanan on November 14, 1946, and he preceded her in death January 02, 2011.

Berniece was a homemaker and worked with her husband Clarence in the Buchanan Orchards. She was a foster mother to thirteen children. She was a member of the Zion United Methodist Church, where she taught Sunday School, VBS Bible School, sang in the choir, and was involved with the Blessing Circle. Her hobbies included painting china, teaching china painting, restoring antique dolls, doll buggies, and doll houses. Berniece loved her cats and rescued many throughout the years. Her family will remember her as a loving mother and grandmother.

Preceding Berniece in death were her parents; husband; one brother: Eugene Watts; and three sisters: Mary Ethel Thompson, Lenore Goetz and Dorothy Lantz.

Survivors include her five children: Joan Sibert (Scott) of Jerseyville, Illinois, Mark Buchanan of rural Lawrenceville, Illinois, Anita York of rural Lawrenceville, Illinois, John (Brenda) Buchanan of rural Bridgeport, Illinois, and Ellen (Richard) Vandermark of rural Lawrenceville, Illinois; one sister: Louise Szeles of Indianapolis, Indiana; six grandchildren: Jason Sibert, Jeremy Sibert, Joshua Sibert, Chase Vandermark, Abbie Shreves, and Sally York; along with six great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be Wednesday, May 22, 2024, 1:00 p.m. CDT at the Emmons-Macey & Steffey Funeral Home. Visitation will be Wednesday from 11:00 a.m. until the service hour of 1:00 p.m. CDT at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Zion Cemetery. Memorial donations in Berniece’s memory may be made to the Lawrence County Humane Society.

Lawrence County Illinois Humane Society
PO Box 415, Lawrenceville IL 62439