Bernadine Griffin

BERNADINE (SCHLADETZKY) GRIFFIN

Cedar Rapids

Bernadine (Schladetzky) Griffin, 83, of Monticello, Ill., formerly of Cedar Rapids, died Wednesday, July 13, 2016, at the Veterans Home in Quincy, Ill. Private family memorial services will take place.

Survivors include her children, Carolyn Niles Northrup of Hiawatha, Pamela Niles (Jim) Sharp of Marion, Robert (Kathy) Niles of Mahomet, Ill., Barbara Brown (Matt) Thomas of Monticello, Ill., Theo Ann Brown Frances of Savoy, Ill., and Gregory (Sue) Brown of Oklahoma City, Okla. Bernie was blessed with 18 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by a daughter, Celia P. Brown Riggs; and two sons, Ralph Brown Jr. and Michael John Brown.

Bernie was born April 2, 1933, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the daughter of Carl J. and Wilma (Stout) Schladetzky. Bernie married Frank Griffin on July 30, 1983. Frankie preceded her in death on May 24, 2015.

Memorial contributions may be made to Illinois Veterans Home Tree Fund, 1707 N. 12th St., Quincy, IL 62301.

For Michael John: A special package has been delivered to you. She is a bit more wrinkled and tattered since you last saw her, but nonetheless, she is the most precious thing that you will ever have the honor of caring for. She may get confused, but have patience, because if you listen long enough she will share treasured stories that you will carry with you forever. Let her rest atop the softness of the clouds, for her body is very fragile from years of caring for her nine children and hundreds of other little ones that graced her day-care home. She will know you for she has missed you so. She still loves red roses. It gives me peace knowing that you pick up where I leave off – where she belongs ... in the arms of an angel.