Powell Funeral Home

Thursday (March 28, 2019) at Arthur Home, Arthur.Bernice was born Sept. 30, 1918, in Rose Hill, the daughter of Carl and Bessie (Coen) Warfel.She was preceded in death by her parents, seven brothers and three sisters and all their spouses. Bernice married Joseph Merle Powell on Aug. 23, 1941. He passed away May 22,1979.She is survived by her two sons and their families, Leroy (Gwen) Powell of Chandler, Ariz., and Danny (Gaye) Powell of rural Arthur. Also surviving are her five grandchildren, Kriston (Andrea) Powell of Scottsdale, Ariz., Todd (Robin) Powell of Philo, Pamela (Kory) Budinger of Chandler, Kara (James) Butler of Farmer City and Joseph Powell of Decatur.She is also survived by 10 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren, along with several nieces and nephews.Bernice graduated from Tolono High School and Eastern Illinois State Teacher's College in Charleston. Fulfilling her lifelong dream of becoming a teacher, she began her teaching career in a one-room schoolhouse located northwest of Arthur (Mentzer School), where she met her future husband through one of her students (Merle's younger brother, Duane).Bernice taught in both the Arthur and Atwood school districts, taking a brief time off to care for her boys when they were young. She retired from the Atwood School District in 1981. One of the comments her family never grew tired of hearing from people was, "Your mom was my favorite teacher."She was an active member of United Church of Atwood and served on many church committees throughout her years, as well as being a Sunday school teacher.As an avid quilter, she chaired and participated in many quilt shows that were held at the church.She was a member of the Retired Teachers Association in both Piatt and Moultrie counties and received recognition as the Moultrie County Retired Teacher of the Year.She was a member of the Sixteen High Club of Atwood, the Piatt County Volunteers Association and several other volunteer organizations. Her motto was "you need to give back."A soft-spoken lady who ...