Bernice B. Lakin

Born: Sept. 21, 1914

Died: May 21, 2008

She sang at countless weddings, funerals and services



KANEVILLE -- Bernice B. Lakin, 93, of Kaneville, passed away peacefully at the DeKalb County Healthcare Center, Wednesday morning, May 21, 2008. The last of her immediate family, she leaves the memory of a life well lived and a family deeply loved.

She was born Sept. 21, 1914, the daughter of Lyle Osborne and Florence Lucretta (Underwood) Meredith. She grew up on the Meredith family farm near Maple Park and attended Elburn schools through her senior year, when she transferred to DeKalb High School, where her academic skills quickly introduced her to the honor society.

She was united in marriage to Perry Lakin on Christmas Day, Dec. 25, 1932. They began farming on Main Street road near Lorang Road. Although it was a Meredith farm at the time, the land was homesteaded by Bernice's great-grandfather, Almon Underwood, in 1848. When the circle of history revolved a generation later, it would find she and Perry retiring to that same homestead once more. After relinquishing a portion of the farm to the progress of Interstate 88, they became caretakers at "Johnson's Mound" for four years before they built a retirement home on a corner of their old homestead.

In 1986, another life irony occurred as they moved to the Dawn Hill Apartments in Kaneville, which Ralph Schleifer had created from the frame of the former Kaneville grade school. Bernice and Perry came there to make their home in what was once their children's first and second grade classrooms.

Following Perry's passing in 1997, Bernice continued to live in Kaneville until 2005, when she moved to the Barb City Manor. More recently she had become a resident at the DeKalb County Healthcare Center.

Throughout her days, Bernice was involved in her community and in the lives of her family. In 1963, after working as a nurse's aid for many years, she went back to school to become a licensed practical nurse through the nursing school at St. Joseph Hospital in Aurora. The same heart that guided her caring hands gave life to her beautiful soprano voice and Bernice was asked to sing at countless weddings, funerals and church services through the years. Although she was tender at heart, Bernice possessed an assertive strength of character that spoke up for things that mattered, such as the creation of the first volunteer hot lunch program and the consolidation of Kaneland School District 302.

At home, her love was to provide for her family. She was an excellent seamstress, an avid gardener and painter and a renowned cake decorator. When her children were small, she was a Cub Scout pack leader and followed the exploits of her children and the endeavors of three generations of grandchildren.

She was a member of the Kaneville Methodist Church for more than 70 years and enjoyed singing in the choir for many of those years.

Bernice and Perry were blessed with four children, Perry (Blen) Maple Park, Joanne (Lee) Meek of Windsor, Colo., the late Clare Lakin (wife Gayle, of Springfield, Mo.) and Douglas (Susan) Lakin of St. Charles. They, in turn, blessed their parents with 11 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and nine great-great-grandchildren.

In addition, Bernice leaves many nieces and nephews, the sons and daughters of her two siblings, the late Leon Meredith and Melva Sullivan.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, May 30, at Kaneville United Methodist Church, Main Street Road, Kaneville. The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 31, at the church. The Rev. Jason Turner, pastor, and Bernice's grandson-in-law, the Rev. Paul Meyers, will officiate and interment will conclude at Kaneville Cemetery.

A memorial has been established in her name to benefit her church and faith and other favorite charities. Memorial checks may be made to the Bernice Lakin Memorial and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, IL 60119. Tributes and memories may also be forwarded to the family at the same address or through her obituary at www.conleycare.com. For information, call Conley Funeral Home at 630-365-6414.

Please sign the guest book at www.KCChronicle.com/obits