Bernice Umbarger, 92, Thayer, died Thursday, Dec. 15, 2011 at Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center in Chanute.

Bernice was born in rural Parsons on Oct. 29 1919, the daughter of James and Ida Mae Schroder Greenwood.

She married Milo Irvin Umbarger on May 3, 1942 at Otterbein United Brethren in rural Parsons.

She graduated from Parsons High School.

She later graduated from Pittsburg State University with a teaching degree.

Bernice was a 5th grade teacher for 35 years in Chanute and Thayer.

She was a member of the Grant Avenue Baptist Church where she was a Sunday School teacher, Retired Teachers Association, and the Friday Reading Club.

She enjoyed gardening, cooking, and especially loved spending time with her grandchildren and family.

Bernice is survived by her husband; four sons, Ron Umbarger and wife, Sylvia, Chanute, Stan Umbarger and wife, Jennie, Thayer, Dwayne Umbarger and wife, Toni, Thayer, and David Umbarger and wife, Elaine, Coffeyville; grandchildren, Todd Umbarger, Chanute, Chris Umbarger and wife, Kim, Chanute, Kurt Umbarger, Chanute, Holly Miller, Chanute, Daniel Umbarger and wife, Tanya, Thayer, Matt Umbarger and wife, Robin, Chanute, Emily Lawrence and husband, Scott, Joplin, Mo., Alina Heater and husband, Kyle, Tyro, Alicia Johnson and husband, Derek, Kansas City, Kan., Amy Umbarger, Wichita, Clint Umbarger, Coffeyville, and Jared Umbarger and wife, Marissa, Cleveland, Okla.; stepgrandchildren, Melissa Tarbet, Chanute, Michael Hartman and wife, Carrie, Thayer, and Viki Brown and husband, Tom, Chanute; 23 great-grandchildren and nine stepgreat-grandchildren; and two sisters, Cleo Carson, Erie, and Dora Thompson, Mound Valley.

She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, James Greenwood and Charles Greenwood, and two sisters, Mary Greenwood and Francis Lind.

Funeral will be 2 p.m. Monday, Dec. 19 at First Baptist Church in Chanute.

Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery.

The family will receive friends on Sunday from 2 until 4 p.m. at the Penwell-Gabel Gibson Chapel.

Memorials in her name may be made to the Kurt Umbarger Van Fund or Grant Avenue Baptist Church and may be left with the funeral home.

To leave a special message for the family on-line, visit www.PenwellGabelChanute.com