Bernardine Andrea "Bernie" Miltner

Bernardine Andrea "Bernie" Miltner (5/26/1933 - 10/4/2025) lived a life defined by compassion, courage, and an unwavering commitment to caring for others. Born in Espyville, Pennsylvania, to Andrew and Mary Lucas, Bernie's journey was a testament to the power of dedication, service, faith, and love.
A distinguished academic from the start, Bernie graduated as valedictorian from North Shenango High School before earning her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Spencer School of Nursing. Her nursing career was nothing short of extraordinary, spanning decades and touching countless lives. At Brown Memorial Hospital in Conneaut, Ohio, she served in multiple critical roles-from surgical nurse to ER charge nurse and beloved obstetrics nurse who helped deliver hundreds of Conneaut babies.
Later in her career, she worked with Ashtabula County Home Health Agency, was the school nurse for Conneaut City Schools, and was the Industrial Nurse at the Pittsburgh and Conneaut Dock Company (her favorite job). At P&C, Bernie had many memorable adventures, including a ride on the Edgar Speer and a "ride" in a Hewlett to rescue a man who had a heart attack while hundreds of feet in the air. Legend has it, when told she could not go up that high to rescue one of her men, Bernie allegedly (and inaccurately) coined the phrase "Hold my beer."
In 1956, her landlords introduced her to the "nice boy who delivered bakery goods," Jim Miltner, who worked in the family-owned Miltner's Bakery. Mrs. Leach joked that if she and Jim married, Bernie "would always have a lot of dough." They were engaged soon after, but the groom was deployed to Korea during the war. They maintained a passionate, daily correspondence (Jim saved those letters but kept them in a container marked "Do not read until after I am dead"). Their love letters later became a source of both inspiration and humor for their children, who realized how lovesick and adorable their parents were.
Their family grew quickly, welcoming four children-Maribeth (Robert) Davis, James David (Karen) Miltner, Kathy Anne (Jerry) Parise, and, after several losses, their "miracle baby" Lesley Jennifer (who may or may not have written this obituary) Miltner. Bernie's role as a mother and later Grandma to Keelia (Mitchell) Morris, Matthew (Kyra) Miltner, Dominick (Taylor) Parise, Katie (Chris) Hauenstein, and "Oma Great" to Finley Jae and Piper "Pip" Morris was her most cherished achievement, marked by unconditional love and unwavering support.
It would be criminal to neglect to mention that Bernie is survived by her precious cat, Callie, who never left Bernie's side after Jim's death 21 months before her own Heavenly promotion.
A devout Catholic, Bernie was a proud member of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church and Corpus Christi Parish (Father Philip Miller and Deacon Nick Iarocci) in Conneaut. Until shortly before her death, Bernie would say the rosary several times a day. Some of her best memories were as a member of St. Mary's Choir. She was a member of the Catholic Daughters of America, and the First Catholic Slovak Ladies Association. After Jim's death, Bernie was embraced by the members of JUMC in Jefferson, and the community at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Andover, where she enjoyed mass led by her "#1 guy" Father John Ettinger. Bernie's faith was a cornerstone of her identity, providing strength through personal losses and challenges.
Even in her final days, surrounded by family and her beloved cat Callie at her daughter, Maribeth's, home in Andover, Bernie remained sweet and compassionate. She was gloriously reunited with her Jim on October 4, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of giving, resilience, and love that will continue to inspire her family and community for generations to come.
Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Monday, October 13, 2025, at the Raisian Funeral Home, 581 Harbor Street, Conneaut.
Mass of the Christian Burial will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Monday, October 13, 2025, with Fr. Philip Miller officiating, at St. Frances Cabrini Church, 744 Mill Street, Conneaut.
Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery, Conneaut.
Donations can be made in her memory to Maddox & Friends Cat Rescue, Conneaut, Ohio.
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