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Bernice Dickerson

Bernice Elizabeth Dickerson, nee Friederich, nee Niehaus, 93 of Collinsville was born on December 10, 1927 on the family farm in Troy, and passed away on Sunday August 22, 2021 at home with her family at her side.

Bernice married Leonard R. Dickerson on April 7, 1989 and he survives in Collinsville. Mrs. Dickerson was a 1947 graduate of McCray Dewey High School in Troy (Triad). She was a member of Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Saints Peter and Paul Altar & Rosary Society Daughters of Isabelle, Girl Scout Leader, and retired after 10 years from Pfizer, Inc.

Bernice enjoyed being around people and was happiest when with her children, grandchildren, family and friends. She and Leonard enjoyed going to dances and traveling to Alaska, Australia, Hawaii, Spain, and throughout the U.S. making many new friends. Bernice enjoyed her bluebird collection and sharing roses from her garden.

Her smile, positive attitude and sunny disposition were contagious.

In addition to her husband Leonard, she is survived by her eight children: Carol Ann (Jim) Meyer, of Maryville; Gene (Connie Friderich, of Alhambra; Marianne (Bob Hicks Mueller, of Chesterfield, MO; Joanne (Jim) Kalla, of Collinsville; Robert (Shelly) Friederich, of Edwardsville; Susanne (Jim) Osterhout, of Collinsville; Joseph (Joanne) Friederich, of Granite City; her grandchildren: Joseph (Laura) Timmerman, Shawn (Theresa Friederich, Brandy (Todd) Rolfingsmeyer, Autumn (Tom) Severit, Nicholas (Kayla) Friederich, Michael (Jenn) Hicks, Matthew (Sarah) Hicks, Thomas (Emily) Kalla, Jennifer (Seth) Atkins, Kyle Friederich, Rachel Friederich Jaclyn Allison, Zackary (Kate) Friederich, Daniel (Fiance Chandler Bryant) Osterhout, Andrew (Kristen) Osterhout, Ryan Osterhout, Erica Friederich, Kristine Schaeffer, and Grace Schaeffer.

Also, to remember are her 23 Great-Grandchildren, Brothers-in-law and sister in law Lawrence Dicerson of Collinsville and Harold (Ada) Friederich of Mascoutah, and many very special nieces, nephews and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Arnold J. and Ella E. Niehaus, nee Noeltner. Husband, Melvin P. Friederich, who she married June 3, 1947 and who preceded her in death March 11, 1975, her siblings and their spouses: identical twin Bernadine (Edward) Poletti, Melvin (Marian Niehaus, Lorine (Omar Bugger) (POaul) Tonnies, Marcella (Herbert) Heim, Arline (Vincent Fohne)(Donald) Fohne; Brothers-in-law and sisters-in-laws: Vernon (Norma Jean) Friederich, Thelda Taveggia, Faye Palecek, Donald (Betty) Dickerson.

Memorials in Bernice’s honor to Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church.

Visitation: Friday, August 27, 2021, 9:30 am to 10:30 am, Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Collinsville.

Service: Friday, August 27, 2021, 10:30 am Mass, Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Collinsville.

Clergy: Father John Beveridge.

Interment: Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Shiloh.

Kassly-Meridith Funeral Home, Collinsville, is in charge of the arrangements.

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