IN MEMORIAM: Bernice Loudon, 93;
Served In WAVES In World War II
FLY CREEK – Bernice E. Loudon, 93, of Fly Creek, a WAVE during World War II, passed away Tuesday morning, Oct. 18, 2016, at Focus at Otsego with family by her side.
She was born March 2, 1923, at home in the Town of Middlefield, a daughter of Hubert S. and Mary Argie (Dow) Andrews.
After graduating from Cooperstown High School, Class of 1940, Bernice served her country during World War II in the WAVES ((Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service). She was stationed at the Naval Hospital in the Bronx and in the USNCTC in Davisville, R.I.
She received her honorable discharge on Jan. 25, 1944, having attained the rank of hospital apprentice first class.
On May 16, 1953, she married Nelson D. Loudon in Great Bend, Pa. After moving back to the Cooperstown area, she was employed as an LPN at Bassett Hospital.
Bernice was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, West Oneonta Branch. She was also a Life Member of the Clark F. Simmons American Legion Post No. 579 in Cooperstown and was active with the Fly Creek Fire Department Auxiliary.
In her retirement, she was a member of the Bassett Auxiliary and volunteered many hours at the hospital. A dedicated participant of Senior Walk at the Clark Sports Center, she enjoyed walking on the running track with other senior citizens and was proud to have reached the 500 mile mark.
Her family will fondly remember her for her expert knitting skills, and will always cherish the many Christmas stockings she made throughout her life for many family members. She also enjoyed ceramics and made many beautiful gifts for her family.
Bernice is survived by her two daughters, Cora Niederlander and her husband, Ralph Niederlander, Sr. of West Winfield, and Nancy Chandler and her husband, George, of Fly Creek; six grandchildren, Ralph Niederlander, Jr. and wife, Alison of Butler, Pennsylvania, Robert Niederlander and wife, Martha of Hillsborough, New Jersey, Todd Niederlander and wife, Sue of West Winfield, Christopher Chandler and wife, Connie of Cooperstown, Yvonne Colby and husband, Dean, of Fly Creek, and Melissa Gwilt and husband, Paul of Oneida; 13 great grandchildren, Eva, Brad, Alan, Matthew, Jessica, Andrew, Richard, Julianne, Kate, Kristie, Sean, Matthew and Jordian, and several step grandchildren and great grandchildren. She is further survived 21 nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her husband, Nelson, who died Feb. 20, 1994; an infant son, James David Hunt who died in 1947; a granddaughter, Carrie Anne Chandler who died Sept. 30, 1993; four sisters, Leona, Ervine, Charlotte and Mary Jane; and five brothers, Arthur, James, Wilbert (“Hoppy”), Jack and Victor.
Graveside Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 22, in the Fly Creek Valley Cemetery on Cemetery Road in Fly Creek. President Danny Noorlander of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, West Oneonta Branch, will preside over the dedication of the grave. Military Honors will be accorded by members of the Clark F. Simmons American Legion Post No. 579, Cooperstown and members of the US Navy Funeral Honors Team.
Arrangements are under the care and guidance of the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.
